Showing their role in society, women in literature are often portrayed in a male dominated position. Especially in the nineteenth century, women were repressed and controlled by their husbands as well as other male influences. “The writings of mid-century women often reveal much about their perception of themselves” (Rose). In "The Yellow Wallpaper", by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the protagonist is oppressed and represents the effect of the oppression of women in society. “Gilman used the …showed first 75 words of 1090 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1090 total…the “Yellow Wallpaper”. The complexity of the symbols used by Gilman, create a picture of the women oppresses by male dominance in the nineteenth century. The traditional twist on symbols she uses provides a scene to what women contend with such as oppression and the feeling of being trapped. By taking this to the ultimate limit Gilman uses these characteristics associated with women and uses them against the narrator, to assist in her own oppression.