escribes the wallpaper pattern consisting of "lame uncertain curves" that "suddenly commit suicide--plunge off at outrageous angles, destroying themselves in unheard of contradictions"(1214). Her efforts at controlling her own life follow the same pattern. Her assertions are weak, and they continually give into her husbands stronger will, thus "committing suicide. " They destroy themselves by allowing her to act according to her husbands will, even though it is an "outrageous contradiction" to her own. The pattern on the wallpaper thus represents her; specifically her methods of dealing with the societal figures around her: her husband, primarily, but also her brother, the maid, and the nanny. Her fascination with the wallpaper not only signifies its role as a symbol, but determines what that role is. She is behaving like someone looking in a mirror for the first time--fascinated and slightly repelled by her own appearance. She is bewildered by this reflection of herself because until this point, she has been focused on the outward world. She seeks and receives advice from those around her instead of making up her own mind. John, a primary representative of her outside world, has told her "the very worst thing I can do is think about my condition" (1213) because this would be an internal focus. She tries to conform to his wishes, thus acknowledging that external influences are superior. She is still demonstrating this outside focus when she asks John to re-paper the room, instead of handling it. When John decides not to indulge her, she passively accepts his decision, though she still finds the paper "horrid.” The only action she takes is asking John, a weak action at best. Her acceptance of his decision against her desires signifies another failure on her part to exert her own will. Because she is still outwardly focused, and therefore trying to please her husband, she puts aside her irritation by the paper, and focuses on the vi...
