where the story is set. The retreat John takes his wife to in "The Yellow Wallpaper" is a large, dilapidated Victorian mansion "quite three miles from the village" (470). It is surrounded by extensive gardens replete with large hedges, locking gates and winding paths. This sets the mansion "well back from the road" and creates many secluded spots; intensifying the idea that the main house is well away from any outside activity (470). In fact, the wife's first impression causes her to call it a "haunted house" and question why it's available for lease (469). Part of the reason for her first impression that the house is falling apart is because no one has been caring for it for some time. This is apparently due to "legal trouble" involving the heirs (470). The mansion has defied time and weather to stand in all it's dilapidated glory. The mansion's strength signifies that it could be a place of rest for John's wife, just as he intended. However, that same strength could also be viewed as giving the mansion prison - like qualities. Further evidence that this last interpretation is correct is found when his wife describes her new room, which is apparently an old nursery/playroom/gymnasium. While this room is large and "airy" with many windows to let in lots of sunshine, those very windows are covered with bars (471). With a closer glance, the reader finds that the room has a rather suspicious past. The wife describes the floor as being "scratched, gouged, and splintered," the plaster of the walls as being "dug out in places," the wallpaper as being "torn off in spots" and "stripped off" both at the top and the bottom; even the bed is portrayed as looking "as if it has been through wars"(473 & 471). Oddly enough the bed is bolted to the floor and it is the only piece of furniture in the room till other furniture is brought up for her. There are "rings and things in the walls" and a "gate at the top of the stairs"(473 & 472). All thes...
