Question

name:
class:
date
period: honors english
literary lenses
\the yellow wallpaper\
by charlotte perkins gilman
eq: how do different literary lenses change the way we understand a text?
eq: in what ways does \the yellow wallpaper\ critique social, economic, & psychological power structures?
eq: how does gilman use symbolism to represent oppression & identity?
eq: is the ending defeat or rebirth? explain.

historical context:
story takes place in the 19th century where _____________, _____________, &
_______________ were closely intertwined, reinforcing co - dependency.

what are these three systems that were reinforced?
1)
2)
3)

in your own words, define the
est cure\ by american physician s. weir mitchell.

Explanation:

Part 1: Identifying the Three Systems (Historical Context)

In the 19th - century setting of "The Yellow Wallpaper", the three closely intertwined systems that reinforced co - dependency were:

1. Social System: The social norms of the time, especially regarding gender roles, where women were largely subordinate to men, influenced all aspects of life.
2. Economic System: Economic dependence was prevalent, with many women being financially dependent on men (husbands, fathers, etc.). This economic tie was linked to social standing.
3. Psychological System: The understanding of mental health and the roles of men and women in the context of psychological well - being were also intertwined. The "Rest Cure" is an example of how the psychological understanding of women's mental health was tied to social and economic factors (as women's lack of autonomy in economic and social spheres affected their mental state, and the treatment for mental health issues was also influenced by gender - based social norms).

Part 2: Defining the "Rest Cure"

The "Rest Cure" developed by S. Weir Mitchell was a treatment for (mostly) women with nervous disorders (like what was then called "hysteria" or other forms of mental distress). It involved a strict regime of bed rest, a diet of rich foods (to build up the body), and a lack of mental or physical stimulation. Women were often confined to bed, not allowed to read, write, or engage in any intellectual or creative activities, and were also restricted in their physical movement. The idea was that by resting the body and not over - stimulating the mind, the nervous system would be able to recover. However, it was a very restrictive treatment that ignored the social, economic, and psychological factors (like the lack of autonomy and creative outlet for women) that contributed to their mental distress.

Answer:

s:

1. Social System
2. Economic System
3. Psychological System

For the definition of "Rest Cure": The "Rest Cure" was a treatment for women's nervous disorders that required bed rest, a rich diet, and no mental/physical stimulation, reflecting 19th - century gender - based views on women's health.