depression to worsen: ". . . I must say what I feel and * * * * * Roberts 4 think in some way -- it is such a relief! But the effort is getting to be greater than the relief." (Gilman 198).Meanwhile her reaction is to seek to prove him wrong. "John is a physician, and perhaps . . . perhaps that is one reason I do not get well faster. You see he does not believe I am sick! And what can one do?" (Gilman 193). It seems to me that while putting on an appearance of submission she was frequently rebelling against her husband's orders. She writes when there is nobody around to see her, she tries to move her bed, but always keeps an eye open for someone comming. This is obvious throughout the story. It also seems to me that, probably because of his oppressive behaviour, she wants to drive her husband away. "John is away all day, and even some nights when his cases are serious. I am glad my case is not serious!" (Gilman 195). As her breakdown approaches she actually locks him out of her room: "I have locked the door and thrown the key down into the front path. I don't want to go out, and I don't want to have anybody come in, till John comes. I want to astonish him." (Gilman 203). I see no reason for this other than to force him to see that he was wrong, and, since she knew he couldn't tolerate hysteria, to drive him away....
