1. Describe the narrator and what you can infer about her condition.

2. Describe the “nursery,” the room the narrator lives in. Consider whether or not the narrator
would
have gone insane if she had been confined to a room other than the “nursery”? Why or why
not?
3. What’s the narrator’s initial reaction and description of the wallpaper? Compare and contrast
how
her perception changes from the beginning of the story to the end of the story.
(A+ responses will include textual evidence describing her initial perception of the paper and
compare it with textual evidence as her views of the paper evolve!)
4. This story demonstrates a subjective first-person narration. What does that mean? How does
this
style influence the way the reader understands the main character?
5. The narrator of this story is unreliable. You cannot always trust that what she says is true.
What are
the advantages and disadvantages of using a first person narrator to tell this story, especially in
light of her condition?
6. Infer ways in which “The Yellow Wallpaper” would be different if it were told from John’s
perspective.
7. Describe the character of John. Does the narrator’s view of him change during the course of
the
story? Explain.
8. Is John the villain in the story? Why or why not?
9. The narrator both accepts her husband’s control over her and disobeys him by secretly
continuing
to write. What effect does writing have on her? Do you believe her husband, John, is correct in
his
judgment that writing will get in the way of her recovery?
10. Why does the narrator say that her husband’s profession is “perhaps. . . one reason I do not
get
well faster” (Gilman)? What is John’s diagnosis and who else supports John’s diagnosis?
11. How does the narrator try to reach out to her husband? Do you think John has any
comprehension
of the seriousness of her disease?
12. Who are the other female characters in the story, aside from our narrator? Why are they
included
(what is their significance?)
13. What are some possible additional meanings behind the color of the wallpaper? How do
these
explanations change an understanding of the narrative? *research yellow symbolism
14. How does “The Yellow Wallpaper” present the conflict between creativity and rationality?
15. List and describe the conflicts that occur in the story (think about physical, moral,
intellectual, or
emotional conflicts.) Also consider and address the types of conflicts in literature (character vs.
character, character vs. nature, character vs. self, and character vs. society.)
16. What does the narrator believe is the best cure for her sickness? Do you agree? How does
this
contrast with what her husband and brother say?
17. What does the narrator mean when she says “I’ve got out at last, in spite of you and Jane”
(Gilman).
18. Remember what we have learned about metaphors and discuss the metaphor of the window
in
relationship to “getting out.”
19. What does the story suggest about middle-class women’s place and role(s) in society in the
late
1800’s?
20. Who do you ultimately blame for the narrator’s descent into madness? Why?
21. Does “The Yellow Wallpaper” have a happy or sad ending? Explain your answer.
22. Did it end the way you expected it to end? Why or why not.
23. What do you think happens to the narrator after the story ends?