First Paper (Due 11/26/19): Choose One Topic From The Follow

First Paper (Due 11/26/19). Choose one topic from the following

Imbedded within Charlotte Perkins Gilman's story “The Yellow Wallpaper,” is her critique of the role and place of women in Western cultures. What does Gilman see as the plight of women in her own society? What is the cost to women of being consigned to that plight?

"The Cask of Amontillado" uses a first-person narrator (a narrator that is a character in the story), and, sometimes, first-person narrators can be untrustworthy. How trustworthy or untrustworthy do you consider the narrator? Are there any ways that the narrator might be manipulating the truth? How would you describe the narrator's thoughts toward himself and his actions?

In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour,” after learning of the supposed death of her husband, Mrs. Mallard closes the door to her room so that her sister Josephine cannot get in, yet she leaves the window open. Why does Chopin make a point of telling the reader this? How might this relate to the idea of being "free" and to the implicit idea that she is somehow imprisoned? Do other words in the story relate to this idea?

Paper For Above instruction

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” offers a compelling critique of the societal roles and expectations placed upon women in the late 19th century. Gilman vividly depicts the psychological and social confinement experienced by women, emphasizing how the constrictive gender roles restrict personal freedom, independence, and mental health. The story serves as a critique of the gendered medical practices of her time, where women were often diagnosed with hysteria or nervous constitutions and were subjected to rest cures and enforced inactivity. Gilman’s portrayal reflects her concern about the oppressive structures that limit women’s autonomy, which can lead to mental deterioration and a loss of identity. The plight of women, as seen through Gilman’s lens, is characterized by the suppression of their natural instincts, enforced dependence on men, and societal denial of their intellectual and emotional needs. Being consigned to such a plight exacts a heavy psychological toll, often resulting in depression, anxiety, or even psychosis, as exemplified by the narrator’s descent into madness due to her enforced silence and inactivity. The story thus highlights the destructive consequences of societal oppression and underscores the necessity of women’s emancipation and recognition of their individuality and rights.

In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” the narrator’s reliability is highly questionable. The first-person narration offers an intimate but biased perspective that invites skepticism. Throughout the story, Montresor portrays himself as victimized and wronged, seeking revenge against Fortunato for an unnamed insult. His justification for the murder hinges on his perception of insult and his meticulous planning, which suggests a manipulative and potentially untrustworthy narrative. Montresor’s tone and selective presentation of facts may serve to justify or glamorize his actions while hiding his true motives or remorse. His thoughts toward himself reveal a mind obsessively focused on retribution and self-preservation, displaying a sense of righteous indignation but also a chilling detachment from morality. The narrator’s manipulation of the truth is evident in his deliberate concealment of his intentions and the calculated way he lures Fortunato into the catacombs. Ultimately, Poe’s use of an unreliable narrator enhances the suspense and horror, compelling readers to question the veracity of Montresor’s account and consider the darker aspects of human nature.

Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” employs symbolism to explore the paradox of freedom and confinement experienced by Mrs. Mallard. The moment she learns of her husband's death, she retreats into her room and gazes out the window, observing the world outside — the open sky, the trees, and the newly brightened world. Chopin’s emphasis on the open window and the scene outside signifies the possibility of liberation and renewal, contrasting with the domestic space she is confined within. The open window symbolizes her potential freedom from the constraints of marriage and societal expectations, which had previously limited her autonomy. This imagery underscores her internal awakening, as she begins to imagine a life where she is free to pursue her own desires. The story reveals that this sense of liberation is fleeting; her happiness at the prospect of independence is interrupted by her sudden death upon her husband's return. Other words and descriptions in the story, such as the “delicious breath of air,” the “new spring life,” and the “free, wild amazement,” reinforce the theme of liberation and the oppressive nature of her previous life. Ultimately, Chopin uses these details to comment on the societal confinement of women and the paradoxical nature of certain freedoms—where awareness of potential independence can evoke both hope and tragedy.

References

• Gilman, C. P. (1892). The Yellow Wallpaper. The New England Magazine.
• Poe, E. A. (1846). The Cask of Amontillado. Godey’s Lady’s Book.
• Chopin, Kate. (1894). The Story of an Hour. Vogue.
• Gilman, C. P. (1913). Why I Wrote The Yellow Wallpaper. The Forerunner.
• Poe, E. A. (2011). The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Writings. Wordsworth Editions.
• Chopin, K. (1992). The Awakening and Selected Writings. Bantam Classics.
• Felski, R. (2000). The Limits of Critique. University of Chicago Press.
• Showalter, E. (1985). The Female Malady: Women, Madness, and English Culture, 1830-1860. Virago Press.
• Wimsatt, W. K., & Beardsley, M. C. (1954). The Intentional Fallacy. The Sewanee Review.
• Gordon, L. (1990). Friends and Lovers: The Revolutionary Friendship of Rosie the Riveter and Jane Addams. Psychology Press.