Term Paper on "Gilman Postpartum Depression"

Term Paper 5 pages (1559 words) Sources: 2 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

YELLOW WALLPAPER & FEMALE DEPRESSION

Modern principles of mental health reflect the view that clinical depression comprises both organic pathology and environmental influences. In the case of the former, medical intervention consists of psychoactive medications such as selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) to reverse the biochemical causes of the symptoms associated with clinical depression (Branden, 1998).

Clinical depression can also result exclusively from environmental factors, without any component of biochemical imbalance. Postpartum depression is unique in that it almost always is a function of environmental factors (in the form of life changes associated with pregnancy and changed body image and role issues) and organic factors in the form of temporary hormonal changes) in combination.

In the case of environmental factors, modern psychologists are unanimous in the view that productive work and intellectually fulfilling social relationships are instrumental in maintaining a healthy self-image and a positive psychological state (Branden, 1998). Likewise, the absence of productive work is associated with feelings of worthlessness that contribute to depression, as is the absence of enriching social relationships. Medical science of the 19th century had not yet realized the importance of these issues in general; even if it had, the climate of the time as it pertained to female roles in society and the "hysterical" nature of female psychology would likely have limited their clinical application to males.

Psychological Validation and Repression:

Psychological repression is now considered to be another significant factor in adult depression, but19th century medical science had identified neither the organic nor the environmental causes of clinical depression. Trained physicians and psychiatrists of the period alike attributed symptoms subjectively, based, at least partly, on the gender of the patient. Even the term hysterectomy reminds us of the assumed link between female anatomy and irrational thought and hysterical behavior (de Beauvoir, 1952).

Modern psychologists also understand the importance of validation, both in general as it relates to self-worth within intimate relationships (Branden, 1998), but also, in particular, as it relates to acknowledging that a patient's symptoms are functions of a bona-fide medical condition and not merely figments of the patient's delirium or imagination. Gilman captures the frustration that results from contrary signals very early on: "If a physician of high standing, and one's own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression - a slight hysterical tendency - what is one to do? My brother is also a physician, and also of high standing, and he says the same thing...Personally, I disagree with their ideas" (p.1).

The 19th century protagonist cannot possibly have a substantive understanding of the link between prolonged repression and (seemingly) spontaneous random emotional explosions; nevertheless, she captures the link succinctly, even to the extent of including its continuing energy-draining effect:

get unreasonably angry with John sometimes I'm sure I never used to be so sensitive. I think it is due to this nervous condition. But John says if I feel so, I shall neglect proper self-control; so I take pains to control myself - before him, at least, and that makes me very tired" (p. 2).

Depression, Productive Work, and Social Relationships:

In general, the engagement in useful work was already valued as a desirable component of human character by the 19th century, but that concept still held little relevance to women, because their appropriate role in society was still perceived to be limited to motherhood and caring for the home so that her husband could more comfortably pursue employment outside the home (Kasl, 1990). Prior to the sexual revolution of the tasks associated with housework and motherhood were the closest approximation of intellectually fulfilling work available to most women.

Again, with respect to the importance of intellectual stimulation and the psychological value of productive work, the protagonist hints at greater awareness than might be assumed of her character:

Personally, I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good.

But what is one to do? I did write for a while in spite of them; but it does exhaust me a good deal - having to be so sly about it, or else meet with heavy opposition.

A sometimes fancy that in my condition if I had less opposition and more society and stimulus..." (p.1).

Gilman manages to capture the magnifying effect on depression of deprivation of the psychological benefit of (even) "woman's work" combined with continued repression of her condition from her own physician-husband, who discounts its seriousness in the first place:

I am glad my case is not serious! But these nervous troubles are dreadfully depressing.

John does not know how much I really suffer. He knows there is no reason to suffer, and that satisfies him.

Of course it is only nervousness. It does weigh on me so not to do my duty in any way!

A meant to be such a help to John, such a real rest and comfort, and here I am a comparative burden already! Nobody would believe what an effort it is to do what little I am able - to dress and entertain, and order things" (p.3).

Many times, the protagonist expresses her profound need for human interaction and for intellectual stimulation in general, instead of constant bed rest in solitude. She hints at her own awareness that solitary confinement only contributes to her continued depression and to worsening her condition:

It is so discouraging not to have any advice and companionship about my work. When I get really well, John says we will ask Cousin Henry and Julia down for a long visit; but he says he would as soon put fireworks in my pillow-case as to let me have those stimulating people about now" (p.4).

Use of Dark Imagery and Metaphor:

Gilman uses very powerful imagery to capture the protagonist's frustration and her association between her "therapeutic" confinement and the punitive confinement of penal institutional settings, including her increasing hallucinations, which are (today) known to result from prolonged solitary confinement::

At night in any kind of light, in twilight, candle light, lamplight, and worst of all by moonlight, it becomes bars! The outside pattern I mean, and the woman behind it is as plain as can be" (p.10)

Again, Gilman connects the protagonist's isolation, her intellectual deprivation and her continuing depression to her increasing descent in irrationality, represented by her focus on the wallpaper as the cause of her suffering, and the immovable bed as a metaphor for her physician-husband's intransigence about her condition and its treatment:

But I must get to work.

I have locked the door and thrown the key down into the front path. I don't want to go out, and I don't want to have anybody come in, till John comes. I want to astonish him. I've got a rope up here that even Jennie did not find. If that woman does get out, and tries to get away, I can tie her!

But I forgot I could not reach far without anything to stand on!

This bed will not move!

A tried to lift and push it until I was lame, and then I got so angry I bit off a little piece at one corner - but it hurt my teeth.

Then I peeled off all the paper I could reach standing on the floor. It sticks horribly and the pattern just enjoys it! All those strangled heads and bulbous eyes and waddling fungus growths just shriek with derision!" (pp. 14-15)

Conclusion:

Charlotte Gilman's the Yellow Wallpaper combines the gothic descriptions and romantic style of imagery from the perspective of an uninformed protagonist with only subtle hints of rhetorical perspective more characteristic of the fully informed protagonist. The former consists of her observational preoccupation with her surroundings (and later, her preoccupation with the wallpaper); the latter is represented… READ MORE

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