The Doctor Figure in Awakening vs. Yellow Wallpaper

I think that it is so interesting how different the doctor figures are in these plays. I feel that this goes to show how different women’s experiences can change how they view a certain type of person. The doctor in Yellow Wallpaper is condescending and gives the advice that eventually makes Jane mad. On the other hand, Doctor Mandelet is understanding and asks to help Edna. However, what is interesting is that Edna ends up committing suicide whereas Jane lives, presumably in a mental hospital, but is still alive.  This is not a conclusion, but simply a question I still have about whether or not each story contains a victory and how the doctor plays a role in each story.

In Yellow Wallpaper, Jane says that her husband “Does not believe I am sick,” giving her a diagnosis that she is only sick because she believes she is. By shutting her up in that room, he is the one causing her to go mad. He doesn’t listen to her explanations, but condescends and causes her downfall.

Conversely, in Awakening, Doctor Mandelet is understanding and tries very hard to help. He figures out early what is “wrong” with Edna and keeps it discreet from her husband saying, “most women are moody and whimsical. This is some passing whim of your wife, due to some cause or causes which you and I needn’t try to fathom.” Whether or not his intentions are genuine, he is a great leap from the doctor of Wallpaper.

In each story, the women can be described as having some sort of triumph over their patriarchy at the end. But which ending is more victorious? And is the doctor’s role really significant at all? I think that maybe the contrast of these doctors shows that no matter who is there to help you or hold you back, self-identity is a journey one must make alone, and the end is completely up to the person doing the discovering.