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Mental Health In Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper

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The stigma of mental health and stability has been a rampant issue for decades, although one that is frequently overlooked. Studies have shown that historical events such as the Industrial Revolution that caused massive migrations and poor living conditions for the middle and lower classes wreaked psychological havoc for generations. Many of these psychological effects like lower standards of professional satisfaction, and "regional patterns of personality and well-being" (Jasper Hamill) are still prominent today. In the short story "The Yellow Wallpaper," Charlotte Perkins Gilman explores the effects of mental health on women in the 1890s, and how the stigmas surrounding the topic of mental health lead to the oppression and unjust persecution …show more content…

In fact, our past generations experienced similar issues as described by Jasper Hammill in his article discussing the lasting effects of the industrial revolution on future generations’ mental health. Hammill states that, “post-industrial places had a 31 percent higher tendency toward suffering both anxiety and depression... These traits are then passed down through the generations through a combination of experience and genetics.” (Jasper Hamill). Our ancestors continue to have an effect on us in our modern day society which heavily correlates to the story where our protagonist struggles to get the same health and support that men were more likely to receive. Gilman helps shed some light on the reality of the situation in regards to female oppression and social degradation, especially when referring to the issue of mental health. “The Yellow Wallpaper” is a timeless piece that presents social justice issues that are still present today, and allows for a better understanding of the history of female oppression and the ignominy that surrounds discussions about mental

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