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Reading the short story "The Yellow-wallpaper" in my English lecture was an example that demonstrated the validity of the situation in that story with the lives of women today, even though it was written in 1892. The story reveals an unnamed female narrator suffering from depression, who is constantly stifled by her husband and forbidden from doing anything except for lying in bed, in the hopes that she will recover. However, this woman also isn't permitted to have any source of intellectual stimulation either, in the fear that the effort may prove too detrimental to her well-being. The efforts taken to repress her mind correlate to the way that female celebrities today are asked about "Who they're wearing" on red carpets, but are less often asked about their thoughts on the characters they play in their movies, or even what preparations these female celebrities undergo to play such roles. (In contrast, male celebrities are asked such questions nearly all the time on the characters they portray.) Although "The Yellow-wallpaper" was written over 120 years ago, this shows that Hollywood and society still has some ways to go in regards to this issue, and that the content of this story is in no way less applicable.

I agree that “The Yellow Wallpaper" is an excellent demonstration of the unfortunate casting of women in literature, and that this trend is reflected in Hollywood and throughout the entertainment world. In addition to only being asked inconsequential questions about designers and such, it is my opinion that they are more harshly critiqued by the media. Much like the unnamed narrator of “The Yellow Wallpaper” the well being of these women always seems to be called into question. Inquiries about weight gain or loss, romantic relationships, even public actions and comments plague the women of Hollywood, creating a kind of prison from which they cannot escape. This is likely how H.D.’s protagonist in “The Yellow Wallpaper” must have felt being essentially trapped in her bedroom for a large portion of the story. Furthermore her description of how she was constantly monitored by her husband and nurse is likely how celebrities feel about the paparazzi. In the story the protagonist believes that even when she is alone, the woman who is living in the wallpaper is still there. She eventually becomes so haunted by this woman that every time the narrator looks out a window she thinks she sees the woman from the wallpaper. To be so closely watched that one cannot even look out their own window without seeing the thing that makes them uneasy outside waiting for them is something that I believe all celebrities can relate too. However much like in the short story it is usually the women who are most victimized by it and eventually come to be labelled as ‘crazy’. Even after all of these years the societal observations of H.D. are still relevant in the media and the entertainment world.

I agree. "The Yellow Wall-paper" still rings true today, in many alarming fashions. The post directly above mine, by Shealyn draws an excellent comparison to H.D.'s "Helen." The superficial reigns supreme for Helen, and the same can still be said today. In the media, women are prodded and poked at on the basis of physical appearance, intellectual stimulus is essentially nonexistent in many of the interviews we see. The media, much like Gilman's narrator's husband, is what constructs how we view many women. We see actresses as shallow and self-obsessed because they are not given the opportunity to fully explore and explain their work, and when they speak out of turn, they are seen as rude and unappealing. Gilman's narrator suffers in a prison of not only her husband's, but society's making for women. To even attempt to break out of it is a kind of madness to the world, and immediately places women as outsiders, when truly, they are only attempting to interact with the world in the way men can. "The Yellow-wallpaper" still has the power to masterfully illustrate women's place in society. The powers which attempt to restrict female intellect and movement may not be the same or as physical, but the attempt to keep women in their place is a force that is still very much in effect, only in different, less tangible forms.

I agree with your sentiment. Recently the actress Scarlett Johansson protest against that very thing. When she and her male co-star were asked about how they prepared for their roles in Avengers, Jeremy Renner was asked "What steps he takes to get into the right mindset?" and "Does he feel that his character portrayal is inspirational as a hero figure to those with physical disabilities?". Scarlett was asked "What diet she goes on to get in such great shape for her role?" and "How did she fit into that black stretchy suit?". Scarlett turned the interview on its head, and asked the reporter "Why do women always get the rabbit food question and the guys don't?" These patriarchal ideas are still rampant today, and in much need of being challenged!