Wallpaper vs. Miriam--a picture of insanity
Written: Jan 31 '01 (Updated Jan 31 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Short story
Cons: No point, moral, or resolution
The Bottom Line: Do not read The Yellow Wallpaper, because it will only leave you disappointed and confused about the plot.
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| huggle_bear's Full Review: Charlotte Perkins Gilman - The Yellow Wall-Paper a... |
Creeping, crawling, creeping along the floor. The chance of someone becoming that insane by wallpaper, yet alone yellow wallpaper, are slim to none. It was written based upon a true story, but it is not true at all, because she fabricated the hallucinations and creeping along the baseboard. This “journal” is full of imaginary consequences and futile insanity, which contribute to its sickening and impossible nature. “Miriam” is believable, and excellently written as the mystery allows itself to be unfolded by the reader.
Written in this mysterious fashion, Miriam keeps the reader’s imagination turning. The story reveals no secrets about the young girl and simply leaves subtle hints as to whether she is human or a figment of Mrs. Miller’s imagination. This creates an interest that prolongs the length of the story. The journalistic style used in “The Yellow Wallpaper” will only lose the reader in confusion and create wonder over what grotesque obsession the author will develop and attempt next.
Wallpaper is written in a day by day style, which seems tedious and repetitive. Gilman, the author, excessively embellishes her psychopathic condition to eventually prove a point to doctors, if they could truly comprehend her writing. She seems to look forward to crawling along the floor, yet hides her condition from her family and doctors. Unfortunately, this never actually happened to her, and that is obvious. An insane autobiography writer cannot be trusted to tell a truthful account of his or her life. A fictional story is best written as based upon facts. The story of “Miriam” could happen to anyone who is senile or lonely, as almost everyone has an imagination, especially in Miller’s condition. Miller was rational, unlike Gilman, who was insane to the extent of creeping along floors because wallpaper was on the walls. She merely saw someone who would keep her company in her lonelier years.
This child called Miriam that she saw was persistent and untamed; she was accustomed to instant gratification and impatience. When Miller did not provide her with candy and cakes, she insulted her and then broke a vase because there were fake flowers inside of it. The moral that she learned is that Miriam was a spoiled child, and she was that way because either she had parents who gave her what she wanted, or she became more so because Miller bought her candy. This action invited Miriam to stay with her, and she persistently did so. Wallpaper did not have a point, moral, or resolution, which contributes to its impracticality and stupidity.
This impracticality leaves Wallpaper in the dark, and easily confuses the reader as to the point or moral. Miriam contains both qualities the former lacks, and it is written superbly in several ways mentioned above. It out-classes Wallpaper, which is a make believe story written for good purpose, but it actually shows no purpose at all. One might wonder why she took the time, except for the fact that Gilman had nothing better to do.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
huggle_bear
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Member: Christine F.
Location: Kansas
Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
A sweety who has a creative right brain and a smart left brain.
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