Contrary to modern medicine, in the 19th century, when the story “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman takes place, postpartum depression n It wasn't even considered a viable affliction. . As a result, Gilman's unnamed protagonist and narrator, wife of a doctor named John, suffers needlessly from this common illness who eventually descends into madness. The lack of understanding in the field of mental health at this time is a contributing factor; However, that's not the only thing to blame for "Ms. John's downward spiral." Mrs. John herself contributes to her own downfall simply by doing what is expected of her as a submissive woman in that era. When she is first introduced to Mrs. John, she is taken to a colonial mansion that her husband John has rented for the summer. Although Ms. John was taken there to rest and recover from what appears to be a bout of postpartum depression, she appears to be in relatively good spirits at first. Mrs. John finds the house beautiful and likes to imagine that it might be haunted. Mrs. John is confined in a large old nursery which borders on disrepair with its cracked floor and its ugly yellow wallpaper peeling off in places. Mrs. John does not like the play but seems to feel guilty for complaining about it to John. After John refuses Mrs. John's request to rearrange the room, Mrs. John says, "It's as airy and comfortable a room as anyone could want, and I wouldn't be so stupid as to put it wrong." comfortable just for a whim. » . (Gilman, 382) Mrs. John loves writing even though it exhausts her. Mrs. John must hide her writings from John and his sister-in-law Jennie because she is not allowed to write as a condition of her treatment. Mrs. John continues to think "there is something... middle of paper...... N's husband almost seems to take pleasure in controlling his wife." He chooses which room Mrs. John should stay in, who she sees, what she eats, and what she is or is not allowed to do. John condescendingly discredits Mrs. John's ability to perceive what is best for her, because he is the doctor. Through his negligence, John gives Mrs. John time to become obsessed with his delusions, thus adding to her downward spiral. If Mrs. John were a 21st century woman, I think her fate would have been very different. Mrs John is said to have sought alternative treatments, not being afraid to stand up to her husband. Mrs. John certainly wouldn't have allowed herself to be held captive in a grotesque old room, and if John didn't love her, Mrs. John might file for divorce. Works Cited Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkinns Gilman