The Yellow Wallpaper Flashcard

Front

What does the term 'rest cure' refer to in the context of women's mental health?

Back

The 'rest cure' was a treatment prescribed primarily to women in the late 19th century, which involved isolation and enforced inactivity, reflecting societal attitudes that dismissed women's autonomy.

Front

How does the setting of the yellow wallpaper contribute to the theme of oppression?

Back

The setting, a confined room with yellow wallpaper, symbolizes the restrictions placed on women and their mental health, illustrating the theme of oppression.

Front

What is the significance of the narrator's relationship with her husband, John?

Back

The relationship highlights the power dynamics in marriage during the time, where the husband holds authority and the wife is infantilized.

Front

What role does the yellow wallpaper itself play in the story?

Back

The yellow wallpaper serves as a symbol of the narrator's mental state and her struggle against the constraints imposed on her.

Front

How does the story reflect the historical context of women's rights in the 19th century?

Back

The story illustrates the limited rights and societal expectations of women, particularly regarding mental health and autonomy.

Front

What does the narrator's descent into madness signify in the story?

Back

It signifies the consequences of repression and the lack of agency experienced by women, as well as a critique of the medical practices of the time.

Front

How does the use of language in the story reflect the narrator's mental state?

Back

The language becomes increasingly chaotic and fragmented, mirroring the narrator's deteriorating mental health.

Front

What is the importance of the narrator's journal in the story?

Back

The journal serves as a means of self-expression and a way for the narrator to assert her identity amidst oppression.

Front

How does the character of John embody the societal attitudes of the time?

Back

John embodies the paternalistic attitudes of the era, believing he knows what is best for his wife, which ultimately contributes to her oppression.

Front

What does the phrase 'the rest cure' imply about societal views on women's health?

Back

It implies that women's health issues were often misunderstood and trivialized, leading to harmful treatments.