Guoquan Miao

ENGL 001B

Prof. Surenyan Krech

May 21, 2023

A Comparison of Marital Relationships in “The Yellow Wallpaper” and “A Respectable Woman”

Marriage often reveals the complexities of relationships and power dynamics between

spouses. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and “A Respectable Woman” by

Kate Chopin are short stories delving into the complexities of marriage and the dynamics

between husbands and their wives. While the stories were written in different periods, they offer

intriguing insights into the experiences and emotions of women within their marital

relationships. Although both stories depict wives struggling within their marriages, “The Yellow

Wallpaper” showcases a wife trapped in a deteriorating mental state due to her husband’s

oppressive control. At the same time, “A Respectable Woman” portrays Mrs. Baroda’s internal

conflict as she grapples with her desires and societal expectations within a seemingly

harmonious marriage.

In “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the wife’s relationship with her husband is characterized by

oppressive control, leading to her mental deterioration. According to Gilman 33, “John is

practical in the extreme. He has no patience with faith, an intense horror of superstition, and he

scoffs openly at any talk of things not to be felt and seen and put down in figures.” John’s

practicality and dismissal of his wife’s emotional state contribute to despair and isolation.

Additionally, John’s strict control over her activities worsens her mental condition. Gilman 33

describes her confinement: "So I take phosphates or phosphites – whichever it is, and tonics,
journeys, and air, and exercise, and am absolutely forbidden to “work” until I am well again.”

This confinement limits her physical movement and denies her a sense of purpose and agency,

ultimately leading to her mental deterioration.

In “A Respectable Woman,” Mrs. Baroda’s relationship with her husband is initially

depicted as harmonious. However, as the story progresses, internal conflict arises within Mrs.

Baroda as she grapples with societal expectations. When Gouvernail arrives as a guest, Mrs.

Baroda’s emotions become unsettled. As Chopin 25 writes, “She was not thinking of his words,

only drinking in the tones of his voice. She wanted to reach out her hand in the darkness and

touch him with the sensitive tips of her fingers upon the face or the lips. She wanted to draw

close to him and whisper against his cheek – she did not care what – as she might have done if

she had not been a respectable woman.” This physical reaction reflects Mrs. Baroda’s inner

turmoil and her struggle to suppress her desires. As she spends more time with Gouvernail, Mrs.

Baroda’s desires intensify, challenging her sense of decency and the societal expectations of a

respectable woman. Chopin 25 states, “Her mind only vaguely grasped what he was saying. Her

physical being was for the moment predominant.” This internal conflict highlights the

complexities of marital relationships, where personal desires clash with societal norms and

expectations.

While both short stories explore power dynamics within marital relationships, they

manifest differently. In “The Yellow Wallpaper,” John’s control is explicit and authoritarian,

driven by a belief in his superiority and his wife’s perceived weakness. He restricts her physical

movement, dictates her activities, and dismisses her opinions. Gilman 33 describes her lack of

agency: “John laughs at me, of course, but one expects that in marriage.” This quote illustrates

the societal expectation that women should tolerate and accept their husbands’ control, even if it
diminishes their autonomy. On the other hand, Mrs. Baroda’s husband allows her the illusion of

freedom within their seemingly harmonious marriage. He values her opinion and treats her with

respect. However, his control lies in his ability to manipulate her actions and choices. He brings

Gouvernail into their lives, knowing that Mrs. Baroda’s curiosity and desire for something

different will lead her to explore her feelings. By allowing this interaction, Mrs. Baroda’s

husband subtly controls the narrative and outcome of their relationship. The text reveals Mrs.

Baroda’s internal conflict as she considers her attraction to Gouvernail: “Her mind only vaguely

grasped what he was saying. Her physical being was for the moment predominant” (Chopin 25).

This quote reflects her struggle between societal expectations and her desires, showcasing her

husband’s indirect control over her emotions.

In conclusion, “The Yellow Wallpaper” and “A Respectable Woman” shed light on the

complexities of marital relationships and the varying degrees of control experienced by wives.

While the wife in “The Yellow Wallpaper” suffers under oppressive control, leading to her

deterioration, Mrs. Baroda in “A Respectable Woman” grapples with internal conflict arising

from her desires and societal expectations. Although the stories provide valuable insights into the

challenges faced by women within the marriage institution, they underscore the need for open

communication, equality, and mutual understanding between spouses.

 Work Cited

Surenyan, Krech. Writing From Your Inner Voice: Fiction Writing. VitalSource Bookshelf,

Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2021, pp. 25, 33.