Conclusion

=In Conclusion:=

We have shown how a diverse set of meaning appears in Perkins’ work when put under the tests of several aspects of literary criticism. From a feminist approach to reader response the lenses of criticism bring more to "The Yellow Wallpaper" than just the story of a woman who is losing her mind. Criticism takes us beyond the words and plot used in the story, and helps us understand the period, the social stresses, culture, and psychological workings of the author. These levels and aspects of literary criticism though subjective offer deeper meaning, and a grater understanding of the work. It was our goal, to show how applying several aspects of modern literary criticism to a short story could derive meaning. We have shown how the simple subject of madness does not stop on the page; it continues into the author’s life and permeates her works in many ways. Another of our goals as a group, was to credit Gilman for her experimental style that is not only unique to writers of her time, but unique even to her other works. It could also be argued that Gilman's experimental style complements Modernist values nearly ten years before. Without a doubt, Gilman's "The Yellow Wall-Paper" is such a literary and cultural landmark that no wonder it is widely anthologized today.

All of the resources we used are listed on the page specific to the type of criticism. Please review these resources at you leisure.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman 1860-1935

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