Charlotte Perkin Gilman: A life of slient suffering :: Biography

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, born in 1860, was a home feminist in a time when women kept house and elevated children. She attributed to the development of a kitchen-less home, socialization of housekeeping and child care (SOURCE 2) although she similarly married and had a child. Ultimately her radical goals and domestic house flavour lead to her psychotic downfall. Gilmans dread of domestic manners began in childhood when her neglectful father abandoned the family, Charlotte, her mother and brother. Her mother responded by denying affection, fearing that it would weaken her daughters character and give her an inflated sense of security (SOURCE 2). Gilman fought to engender educated and was able to build a life and support herself as a single woman. Filled with shame and fear from her parents divorce Gilman was don to accept the multiple proposals of suitor Charles Walter Stetson, eventually agreeing in 1885 after her next adorer became married (SOURCE 2). The union was descr ibed as unsatisfying and a great factor in Gilmans breakdown (SOURCE 1). They had their first and barely child in 1886, which was the turning point in Gilmans intellectual health. The pregnancy was filled with illness and emotional instability she was put on bed rest which left her unstable and depressed by domesticity and inhalation (SOURCE 2). After her child was born she claimed she felt guilty she did not puzzle the joy and was a failure as a woman (SOURCE 2). Gilman was unavailing to function normally, her life filled with total unhappiness or fast hysteria. Eight months after the birth of their daughter Gilmans emotional earth was not improving and she left home. She spent five months with a friend collaborating on writings and plays (SOURCE 2) and filled with the relief of living an domestic life began feeling better. Gilman returned home determined she was wellhead again but inwardly a month was returning to her previous state (SOURCE 2). Writing in her diary I am very sick with nervous crash and I think some brain disease as well (SOURCE 2) at this point she began getting treatment from S. Weir Mitchell a nerve specialist. She underwent the tolerate Cure Treatment and for six weeks, Charlotte had complete bed rest, daily massages, plentiful food, and no access to books or friends. She was sent home with an admonition neer to write or paint again (SOURCE 2). The treatment ended with an extreme psychotic breakdown, which is described in her short story The Yellow Wallpaper.