reassures her that this rest will help her considerably and does not allow her to write anything. He imprisons her in a room without visitors and yet the narrator consistently justifies his actions by rationalizing it as love. John does not believe his wife to be physically ill but he seems to understand the whole idea of the rest cure and uses his status as a physician to quiet her developing mind. When his wife nearly begs to leave the house he tells her There is nothing so dangerous, so fascinating, to a temperament like yours. It is a false and foolish fancy. Can you trust me as a physician when I tell you so? (Gilman p 732) Though the narrator is an aspired writer, John cautions her to keep her imaginations and habit of story-making in check.The narrator appeases her husband whenever he is around yet privately she writes in a journal. The journal entries allow the reader to see the wifes true character. She disagrees with her husband at times but will never say so. She is bombarded with a mixture of feelings towards her husband: dependency, respect, and yet unreasonable anger and annoyance. She seems to understand the role that is expected out of her as she describes Jennie, her husbands sister and housekeeper, She is a perfect and enthusiastic housekeeper, and hopes for no better profession. I verily believe she thinks it is the writing which made me sick! (Gilman p 729) It is not only the secret journal being kept, which shows her apparent rebellion but her eventual madness in her prison. Throughout the story, Gilman almost foreshadows the coming event of her insanity/rebelliousness. She indicates this throughout the journal entries how the wife does not agree with her husband and is almost relieved at his absence. She even acknowledges her escape from caring for her child by being imprisoned in this room. I never thought it before, but it is lucky that John kept me here after all, I can stand it so much easier tha...
