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Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
47 reviews
cambrand's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Soul-wrenching, nauseating, visceral. The Yellow Wallpaper is terrifying and women understand why too well, specially if they’ve suffered a chronic condition. “It is so hard to talk to John about my case, because he is so wise, and because he loves me so.” Felt like a punch in the throat. Read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this is phenomenal. i’ve read it a few times and every time it is just as good if not better. it portrays the way women’s health was constantly downplayed by misogynistic men. the deterioration of the main characters mental health is haunting. i think everyone should read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Gaslighting
xwritingstoriesx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
4.25 stars. The Yellow Wallpaper follows a young woman struggling with a misdiagnosis of hysteria and the subsequent response to her treatment of the Rest Cure.
The book touches on the subjugation of women through the trivilisation and ignorance of issues which strictly affect women. The protagonist's subtle rejection of the domestic roles of marriage and womanhood allow the reader to understand the detrimental effects of such subduing oppression.
This is further established by the protagonist's attempts to conform to the expectations thrust upon her. She is prohibited from writing, an activity which allows self-expression and ties into her sense of personal identity, in order to placate her husband's concerns.
She is also stifled by the rest cure, a treatment plan which was disproportionately prescribed to women as a means to quell their female hysteria. The protagonist was discouraged from intellectual and physical stimulation which led to further deterioration of her mental condition. She was confined in every conceivable way.
The Yellow Wallpaper itself is a symbol of her own mental and physical imprisonment. Throughout her stay, her episodes of psychosis worsen and she wrongfully perceives shapes and figures within the wallpaper. This slowly evolves into the belief that a woman is trapped within the wallpaper and this figure is meant to represent herself.
The final scenes of the novella convey just how severe her psychosis has become and shows a complete integration between herself and her mental illness.
A crucial examination of female subjugation, domestication and vulnerability within the 19th century.
The book touches on the subjugation of women through the trivilisation and ignorance of issues which strictly affect women. The protagonist's subtle rejection of the domestic roles of marriage and womanhood allow the reader to understand the detrimental effects of such subduing oppression.
This is further established by the protagonist's attempts to conform to the expectations thrust upon her. She is prohibited from writing, an activity which allows self-expression and ties into her sense of personal identity, in order to placate her husband's concerns.
She is also stifled by the rest cure, a treatment plan which was disproportionately prescribed to women as a means to quell their female hysteria. The protagonist was discouraged from intellectual and physical stimulation which led to further deterioration of her mental condition. She was confined in every conceivable way.
The Yellow Wallpaper itself is a symbol of her own mental and physical imprisonment. Throughout her stay, her episodes of psychosis worsen and she wrongfully perceives shapes and figures within the wallpaper. This slowly evolves into the belief that a woman is trapped within the wallpaper and this figure is meant to represent herself.
The final scenes of the novella convey just how severe her psychosis has become and shows a complete integration between herself and her mental illness.
A crucial examination of female subjugation, domestication and vulnerability within the 19th century.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
belladonnashrike's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I would’ve ripped that wallpaper out too, can’t blame her.
[excellent short story, I can see why it’s a staple in feminist literature as well as (psychological) horror. I love an unreliable narrator!]
[excellent short story, I can see why it’s a staple in feminist literature as well as (psychological) horror. I love an unreliable narrator!]
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
soyboi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
nataliapassos's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, and Sexism
Minor: Forced institutionalization
melplays9000's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’d like to document this as the first ever classic that I have read of my own free will. I’ve always been worried that I’m to thick to understand the old english writing style but I was actually surprised that this book was not too difficult for me. I probably would have understood and liked it better has I been an english Lit major but I don’t believe I ever will be so maybe I should just enjoy classics how I can.
This was an absolute gem of a book. If it was just horror fiction it would still have been incredibly successful but I think that knowing that this story is partially true makes it so much creepier. I love how we are completely in the mind of the main character so what she says makes perfect scene and she seems perfectly stable until at one moment it just clicks and you realize that she is not.
It is an incredibly short book but has great vibes would definitely recommend. 4.5 stars.
This was an absolute gem of a book. If it was just horror fiction it would still have been incredibly successful but I think that knowing that this story is partially true makes it so much creepier. I love how we are completely in the mind of the main character so what she says makes perfect scene and she seems perfectly stable until at one moment it just clicks and you realize that she is not.
It is an incredibly short book but has great vibes would definitely recommend. 4.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Forced institutionalization
belladsb's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 Stars
C.A.W.P.I.L.E. : 8.43
This is a revolutionary tale of how mental health was treated before, and how Postpartum dysphoria was neglected, treated like it was not a real thing.
It shows how ignoring the mental health issues tha someone may have might actually worsen their condition.
What the author portraits in this breif tale is based on her own experience and in the end did wonders to change the course of mental health treatment and improve psychology as we know it today.
It's sad & enrapturing to see the progression of the thoght process of this woman and in the end how it affects her perception of herself and others.
C.A.W.P.I.L.E. : 8.43
This is a revolutionary tale of how mental health was treated before, and how Postpartum dysphoria was neglected, treated like it was not a real thing.
It shows how ignoring the mental health issues tha someone may have might actually worsen their condition.
What the author portraits in this breif tale is based on her own experience and in the end did wonders to change the course of mental health treatment and improve psychology as we know it today.
It's sad & enrapturing to see the progression of the thoght process of this woman and in the end how it affects her perception of herself and others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
deanenicole's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Misogyny
malaikawrites's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This story is a short and intriguing portrayal of a women’s mental decline while trapped in rest-cure circumstances that are supposed to heal her. It’s a very quick and captivating read that has many contradictions and ironic elements which introduce many thought provoking topics for exploration and conversation.
Things like the rest-cure triggering the woman’s sleepless nights, and the lack of activity solidifying her hyper focus on the yellow wallpaper, are all things that make the story interesting and conversation worthy.
The woman’s mental decline is inevitable, and I knew that from the very beginning, but I still found myself sad for her and invested in watching her unravel until the end of it all. To peak my interest with a story so short I read it in less than half an hour? That’s talent.
Things like the rest-cure triggering the woman’s sleepless nights, and the lack of activity solidifying her hyper focus on the yellow wallpaper, are all things that make the story interesting and conversation worthy.
The woman’s mental decline is inevitable, and I knew that from the very beginning, but I still found myself sad for her and invested in watching her unravel until the end of it all. To peak my interest with a story so short I read it in less than half an hour? That’s talent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Misogyny
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Suicidal thoughts