The Power of Perspective: Who Is the Bad Guy?

520

Am I going crazy, or is everyone around me losing it? Perspective is a vital element in any story; a reliable or unreliable narrator can change a story's meaning. In Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "Yellow Wallpaper," the narrator is obviously driving herself into an endless hole of insanity, yet her honesty can at times make the reader sympathetic to her condition and possibly even wanting to believe her. I felt that the narrator's husband, John, seems manipulative as he takes advantage of her submission. He leaves no room for anything but complete acceptance of his medical "knowledge." Yet, as I continued reading Gilman's electrifying story, I could not help but feel that the narrators insanity was not partially induced by her husband's treatment. She is constantly reaffirming her submission to his advice: "John says it is good for me." Yet, just as I felt weary of John's regiment of sleep and extreme relaxation, the narrator also expresses her conflicting feeling of "getting a little afraid of John." Is John driving his wife into insanity or is this an inevitable outcome due to a mental illness? As I continued reading the short story I wanted to understand why John acted the way he did.

While reading the short story I could not help but find the narrator's descriptions intriguing rather than irrational. Although she was obviously having vivid hallucinations, is it impossible that a woman with a vivid imagination cooped up in a room with strange wallpaper can record a wild account in some sort of journal? I believe Gilman's story is unique because unlike a description of a mentally disturbed individual, at times this narrator seems believable and relatable. To see the inner workings of her mind, both seemingly insane but at times also quite normal, offers us the ability to connect with a clinically insane woman.

I could not help but feeling frustrated by John's blindness to his wife's condition and, often, his role as a catalyst for the insanity. At many points in the story I could not decipher whether John was purposefully manipulating his wife, or if he truly intended to better his wife's mental health. At one point in the story, I actually thought John was cheating on his wife when she noted that "John is away all day, and even some nights when his cases are serious." My opinion on what exactly his motives were, swayed between both possibilities throughout the story. I have finally concluded that John did want to help his wife, but was also somewhat afraid of her condition and therefore ignored it. At this time in history so little was known about mental illness, its causes, and its treatment that it is possible a husband's love for his wife could lead to a reclusive apathy. John may not have known how to "fix" his wife and therefore he was too afraid to become too attached to his ailing companion who now seems foreign. The narrator's blind obedience to her husband's mandates may simply be an excuse for the distance that has come between them. Even a crazy woman can recognize her husband's love for her. Although Gilman may have been trying to promote a more feminist message, I interpreted John’s involvement or lack thereof to be a lost husband in need of an answer for himself.

What You Hear Isn't Always What You Get

In Flannery O'Connor's "Revelation," the main character, Mrs. Turpin displays a behavior that is unfortunately not an uncommon one to human nature. This bible-thumping church member makes it clear that "[t]o help anybody out that needed it was her philosophy of life," however, Mrs. Turpin's thoughts reveal that her good actions are only a façade. Hiding behind this curtain of kind deeds is a hateful, close-minded cow who places herself above everyone. Mrs. Turpin does not understand that the foundation for social service is a true desire to do good.

Mrs. Turpin cannot seem to overcome people's color, dress, or vernacular to open her heart and truly be kind to them. She may perform praiseworthy acts, but the true test of her character is in the way she views those around her on an everyday basis. She may bring her black servants water, but does Mrs. Turpin complete this task to truly care for her workers or to appear better in the eyes of God? Mrs. Turpin hides her hideous thoughts behind her "kind" actions which seem to be simply going through the motions. Does Mrs. Turpin not understand that her petty actions are a small exchange for the thoughts inside her twisted mind.

It surprised me that Mrs. Turpin was so divinely touched by Mary Grace's words. This seemed to be a departure from the more stubborn and out of touch Mrs. Turpin we had met thus far in the story. The author successfully foreshadows some sort of vengeful act upon the noisy and bossy Mrs. Turpin, and Mary Grace appears to be the ideal character to carry it out. Yet, it is not clear whether Mrs. Turpin has the capacity to interpret this act in a way that will lead to a change or evolution in Turpin's character. It was not particularly clear to me if Mrs. Turpin was forever different because of Mary Grace's "warthog" comment, but it did seem that the words were burned into her mind. As a reader it was almost comforting to hear Mary Grace's words, although harsh, to galvanize some sort of change in Mrs. Turpin. Although I wanted to see some sort of transformation in Mrs. Turpin, is was satisfactory that she heard words that expressed the emotions I had become to feel for her.

Mrs. Turpin as a character does not have the depth to understand that her actions do not make up for her lack of goodness in her mind and heart. Turpin lacks any sort of sincerity that would make her belief in Jesus and God seem legitimate. Although she may think she is doing what God would like her to do, she cannot understand that her true thoughts prevail over her good deeds. While reading "Revelation" it is obvious that Mrs. Turpin cannot forever hide behind her actions, her inner thoughts will eventually be revealed. Mary Grace may be an ugly, broken out college student, yet she possesses an understanding none of the other more "superior" characters do. Mary Grace is able to recognize Mrs. Turpin's inner ugliness and act upon her observations. For this, I believe that Mary Grace, although maybe less active in the community service circles, is the only character who truly benefits those around her.

Out On My Own?

Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" explored a new aspect of leaving home, one that had never occured to me before. Going out into the world and becoming an independent woman is a vision many young girls fantasize about as they battle the oppression of school and parental control. Yet, Walker illustrates a darker side of the separation that occurs between mother, daughter, and sister, as a young woman seeks a better life many miles from her drab childhood.

Dee (Wangero) appears to crave a lifestyle that reflects only the decades of her heritage which she finds trendy and socially accepted. As she forces her way into the "real" world, Dee (Wangero) deserts her reality. She is too embarrassed to see the bravery of her mother as she tries to let her daughter live a life she never could, and the sincerity and loyalty of her kind sister. Dee (Wangero) deserts the label that ties her to her less favorable heritage and chooses a name that relates to her deeper African roots. Although it may seem laudable to the reader that this young woman has emerged from her humble upbringing to redefine herself, Walker shows how Dee (Wangero) is actually an embarrassment to the hard work and goodness of her family. In her quest to discover her heritage, she looks foolish. Dee (Wangero)'s attempt to get in touch with her roots only results in a showcase of her greed and ignorance.

Dee (Wangero) is an example of the overzealous young woman who will stop at nothing to severe the strings that attach her to her unavoidable truth. She cannot escape her bloodline by being called an exotic name or dating a radical man. Dee (Wangero) can never truly be her own woman until she accepts that her past has made her what she is, and that her future will always be affected by the events which have created her character thus far. Although letting go seems to be easy for Dee, it is obvious that she has not let go of the embarrassment of her mother and sister, or the disdain for their way of life. She arrogantly states to Maggie that "[i]t's really a new day for us. But from the way you and Mama still live you'd never know it," which only reveals an immaturity and lack of understanding on Dee's part. Dee (Wangero) may choose to live her life in a different, more modern way, but she can never grow up until she can accept that where she came from is integral to who she is. It is evident this lack of understanding leads to Dee (Wangero)'s rudeness and disrespect she displays toward her sister and her mother. To truly grow up would require Dee (Wangero) to appreciate her mother and sister, even if she does not agree with their lifestyle.

Dee (Wangero) is a stranger in her own home, a wannabe who wants acceptance but cannot embrace her own family. Dee (Wangero) does not understand that sometimes the bravest women of all are those who sacrifice any aspirations they might possess to care for their family. Dee (Wangero) defines a successful woman as one who is independent with the privilege of controlling her future, yet could it be that her mother's ability to raise a woman with these opportunities is not the greatest success of all?


558