Self-destruction and Lack of Autonomy in The Yellow Wallpaper by C. P. Gilman: A Zizekian Reading

Abstract

The Yellow Wallpaper by Gilman has long been recognized as a powerful narrative that delves into the complexities of the human psyche, particularly in relation to the constraints placed on women in the late 18^th & 19^th century. This study employs psychoanalysis theory, especially Zizekian lens, to explore the profound lack of autonomy and self-destruction experienced by the protagonist, a nameless woman, as she navigates the oppressive domestic environment and her own internal struggles. It reveals how the confines of the domestic sphere and the figurative prison represented by the titular yellow wallpaper contribute to her detachment from her own self-identity. Further, this work examines how the Other, represented by her husband and the societal expectations placed upon her, exacerbates her descent into self-destruction. The protagonist's fragmented self-image, manifested in her obsession with the wallpaper's patterns, is analyzed as a manifestation of the fragmented self and the alienation of the subject. Thus, this study offers a deeper understanding of the protagonist's psychological deterioration and underscores the profound consequences of the lack of autonomy and the confinement imposed upon women.