It is so hard to talk with John about my case, because he is so ...

[jasdeep_brar]

It is so hard to talk with John about my case, because he is so wise, andbecause he loves me so (paragraph 122). His wisdom is, to say the least, open to question, but what about his love? Do you think he suffers merely from a failure of perception, or is there a failure of affection as well?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

The narrator says, I get unreasonably angry with John sometimes (paragraph 24). How unreasonable is her anger at him? What does the fact that she feels it is unreasonable say about her?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[Madisongo23]

Answer to Question 1

• The narrator reveals that John is practical in the extreme and scoffs openly at any talk of things not to be felt and seen and put down in figures (par. 6). As a doctor, it seems Johns opinions are usually accepted as fact. As a husband, the narrator believes at first that he loves her, which becomes even more clearly debatable to the reader as the story progresses. He tells her that he will repaper the walls and alter the room (the bed, the bars), but never does. He treats her as one would treat a child, often calling her names such as a blessed little goose (par. 53) and little girl (par. 129).

Other details suggest that all may not be well in their marriage, and the acute reader may wonder if he has been entirely faithful to his wife. For example, he has long absences on serious cases, which may or may not be valid (par. 89). He argues that the upstairs room doesnt have enough room for two beds, so he remains in the downstairs room. Whatever ones interpretation of these details may be, there is one aspect of their marriage that is consistently clear: John does not listen to his wife. She often makes seemingly casual comments like he knows there is no reason to suffer, and that satisfies him (par. 42) or he laughs at me so about this wallpaper (par. 48). That she keeps telling the reader that he loves her seems to be a way for her to cope with her imprisoned state.

Answer to Question 2

• Until the end of the story, the narrator accepts her role as Johns wife and all that this meant in the late nineteenth century. Traditionally, it was unacceptable for a wife to question her husbands decisions or authority. It was a husbands duty to provide for his family, and it was his wifes role to submit to him with gratitude. Naturally, this dependenceeconomica l, political, and socialmade it difficult for many talented, opinionated women to voice opinions. In this context, the narrators anger becomes clearer; while she verbally says it is unreasonable, she seems to feel it is justifiedand a compassionate reader would agree with her. She tries to do her duty, but this is precisely what leads to her breakdown.

Gilmans 1916 piece, The Nervous Breakdown of Women (included in the casebook), sheds further light on this issue.

[jasdeep_brar]

Excellent

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