toward the womb (Ehrenreich and English p44). Many womens disorders were termed hysteria derived from the Greek word hystera, meaning womb. It was thought these disorders originated from the womb since this was the main aspect of a womans life. These types of treatments were not necessarily a need for medical attention to womens disorders but instead a simple way to maintain the womens role in the 1800s: the domestic stay- at- home care-giver. Women needed to remain at home caring for man and their offspring. Doctors and Educators were quick to draw the obvious conclusion that, for women, higher education could be physically dangerous. Too much development of the brain, they counseled, would atrophy the uterus. Reproductive development was totally antagonistic to mental development. (Ehrenreich and English p 45)The story begins with the narrator writing in her journal. She introduces her temporary living situation and surprisingly already shows concern over her treatment for her depression. So I take phosphates or phosphites- whichever it is, and tonics, and journeys, and air, and exercise, and am absolutely forbidden to work until I am well again.Personally, I disagree with their idea.Personally, I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change would do me good. (Gilman p 726)The narrator disagrees with her cure yet she dutifully follows the prescribed treatment. She tries to justify her resignation to following the treatment due to the fact her husband and brother, who are both high standing physicians, agreed to her diagnosis and treatment.The narrator and the husband depict a stereotypic upper class Western European/ American life. John, the husband, is the dominating figure in the narrators life, often speaking and reprimanding his wife like a child. And dear John gathered me up in his arms, and carried me upstairs and laid me on the bed, and sat by me and read to me till it tired my head. (Gilman p731) He ...
