Critical Analysis of The Yellow Wallpaper Charlotte Perkins Gilmans The Yellow Wallpaper is a detailed account of the authors battle with depression and mental illness. Gilmans state of mental illness and delusion is portrayed in this narrative essay. Through her account of this debilitating illness, the reader is able to relate her behavior and thoughts to that of an insane patient in an asylum. She exhibits the same type of thought processes and behaviors that are characteristic of this kind of person. In addition, she is constantly treated by those surrounding her as if she were actually in some form of mental hospital. Charlotte Perkins Gilmans state of depression began after she gave birth to her one and only daughter. She was diagnosed and given a prescription of rest in order to cure her disease (Kennedy 469). Gilman was taken away to a secluded home by her husband in order to obtain such rest. However, as it becomes evident to the reader, this rest actually plays a role in furthering Gilmans mental state. The reader watches as Gilmans condition worsens as a result of this treatment. It is through her writing and documenting that the reader is able to relate her to a mentally insane being (Kennedy 469). As is evident to the reader, Gilman is suffering from some sort of mental disorder and/or illness. As is defined by one doctor, disease of the mind is any medically recognized disorder that may render a defendant incapable of understanding the nature and quality of his or her actions or knowing that those actions were wrong(Rogers 221). It is obvious through her actions and thoughts that Gilman does suffer from a disease of the mind.Gilman first shows signs of insanity when she arrives at the old, abandoned home at which she is to begin her rest. The reader gets a first glimpse at her insanity as she constantly jumps from one subject to another. Gilmans thought process is much like that of an insane being as she begin...
