Blurring the Lines between Reality and Distorted Perceptions in Relation to Identity in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”

Abstract

It is impossible to be alive without having the sense of identity, since it is what represents the values, mindsets and people’s personalities, and to lose identity is to lose one’s self. There are plenty of factors that can cause identity loss, such as distorted perceptions and illusions as well as the society and its doctrines. Throughout history, women were the ones who got more affected by this phenomenon that restricted them from expressing their ideas and being who they really want to be. Therefore, this thesis investigates the issue of identity loss and its representation in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper. It also explores how social expectations and gender norms lead to the protagonist's loss of self by focusing on her mental degeneration and fascination with the wallpaper. Drawing on psychoanalytic ideas and feminist critique, the study contends that the protagonist's captivity and isolation result in a fractured sense of identity. By diving into the complexity of the protagonist's mind, this thesis provides light on how patriarchal institutions harm women's sense of self and agency. Finally, this study aims to emphasize the necessity of recognizing and reclaiming one's individuality in the face of repressive cultural standards. Studying the text in details helped in examining the author's use of language, ideas, and symbols to depict the protagonist's loss of identity. In addition, a psychological analysis approach is used to investigate the protagonist's failing sense of self by using psychological ideas such as those connected to mental health and the impacts of solitude. It is also predicted that the outcomes of this thesis will aid in better understanding the formation of the individual identity specifically female one, and the elements that influence it.