GENDER OPPRESSION: THE YELLOW WALLPAPER BY CHARLOTTE PERKINS GILMAN

Abstract

This literary study uses Feminist Criticism and Psychoanalytic Criticism, specifically it looks into the characters, themes, and symbolisms to reveal the issues of gender oppression that are reflected in the story. The method of literary research used is qualitative method of discourse analysis. In addition, the related literature and studies are utilized to support the textual investigation. Through the lens of the literary theories used, the issues that are found in the characters, are done through by looking into its portrayal and implication. Hence, the portrayal and implication of all the characters in the story are highly showing the presence of gender oppression. For the analysis of themes, it explores the significant issue about gender oppression that is happening inside the marriage wherein the husband turns to be dominant while the wife becomes inferior. On the other hand, the symbolisms reflect the essential representation of gender oppression experienced by the women in the story. Based on the findings, it is concluded that the story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman contains gender oppression. This study recommends that the literary researchers should make a character analysis, may create a study of the story that studies the theme of the literary work and should make a symbolism analysis essay on the story The Yellow Wallpaper.