Short Story : The Yellow wallpaper

Short Story : The Yellow wallpaper

 Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Rating: 9/10

Year: 1890 (original short stories); 2009 (my edition)

Publisher: Virago

ISBN: 9781844085583

Pages: 20 (from 3 to 23 in my collection)

Language : English 

Short story from 1890 on the "rest cure" treatment for women...

Composed in the form of a diary, The Yellow Wallpaper is based on the author's own experiences of depression.

It is the story of a sick woman, whose husband is a doctor who prescribed the “rest cure”, then in vogue. The narrator describes the infantilization of her husband and how the room in which she is bedridden during this rest treatment suffocates her and drives her to the brink of madness. I loved the slightly supernatural twist, a symbol of his depression.

I love the period narrative style, which Charlotte was able to “reduce” without losing flavor.

This work is feminist and therefore speaks to 19th century attitudes towards women and their health, whether physical or mental.

On the other hand, I warn you for other readings, that his view on slavery is abject, so choose carefully.

Where to find this short story?

In original version: copyright-free digital version on Projectgutenberg

Also in the various pdf and paper editions, alone, or with comments, or even in collections like mine (details at the top). There are thousands of editions in these categories.

In French translation:

The short story exists under the title Le Papier Papier jaune, but also under La Séquestrée.

I only find them in paid versions, even though it's supposed to be in the public domain. The short story is available alone, or in collections, but they include fewer short stories than the English editions.