The Yellow Wallpaper The short story, Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, is written in first person and it is from our nameless character's writings that we are introduced to her world and her life. ... The yellow wall paper has imprisoned her in this room and the development begins. ... - The smell of the room itself is a symbol of male dominance: "It is not bad -at first, and very gentle, but quite the subtlest, most enduring odor I ever met."" ... The woman that stirs and creeps within the wall is literally her shadow, which is found out when the housekeeper mentio...

• Word Count: 2055
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

Symbols are important in the story because they are responsible for unfolding and revealing the meaning of the story, and Elisa's character, as well. ... "Oh, those are chrysanthemums, giant whites and yellows. ... Or should she be a more aggressive woman, for example, one who isn't afraid to go to the fights in Salinas? ... At the very end of the story, Elisa is found "crying weakly--like an old woman" (253). ... Steinbeck uses Elisa's emotions to represent how fragile the heart of a woman is. ...

• Word Count: 1566
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School