Charlotte Perkins Gilman 1860-1935 Prominent American feminist, sociologist, & writer. Concerned with the way society works & gender roles.

Early childhood Abandoned by her father as a child; lived with mother. Very poor, often supported by her father’s aunts (one was a suffragist; the other was Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Moved around often (7 schools in 4 years). Mother was not affectionate—unless her daughter was asleep. To keep Gilman from getting hurt, her mother forbade her to have friendships or read fiction. Most of Gilman’s friends were boys, and she was proud to call herself a “tomboy” (though it would have been something to be ashamed of at the time). To cope with her isolation, Gilman spent a lot of time reading at the library. Her intelligence and potential impressed her teachers, though she did not earn good grades.

Adulthood Married in 1884 & had a daughter. Suffered from severe post-partum depression. @ this time, women were seen as hysterical, emotional, and nervous, so they were not always believed when they claimed to be ill after giving birth. 1888—Gilman separates from husband (very rare during that time). They divorce later, & Gilman becomes active in feminist organizations. She sends her daughter to live w/her ex-husband and his new wife: Gilman believed that fathers should have a right to be a big part in their children’s lives & develop strong relationships with them (an uncommon view, b/c this was seen primarily as a woman’s role). In 1932, she was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer, so she committed suicide. In her suicide note, she wrote that she “chose chloroform over cancer.”

Social Views Very involved in social reform movements—primarily, she advocated for women’s right to vote. Joined an organization dedicated to fight against extreme capitalism and the distinctions between classes. Called herself a humanist; believed that the domestic environment oppressed women through society’s patriarchal beliefs. Argued that male aggressiveness and maternal roles for women were artificial, & no longer needed for survival in a modern society. Argued that gender roles (at the time) were determined by economics: Since there was no real place for women in the workplace, they were relegated to the home. As a result, women were forced to rely on men as providers, & forced by society since early childhood to prepare for the role of mother and wife—through clothes, toys, & activities marketed as appropriate for girls.

Social Views (cont.) Argued that women’s contributions to civilization were adversely affected due to an androcentric culture. As a result, womankind was underdeveloped, and ought to have new opportunities to develop, for the betterment of humankind. Believed that economic independence was the key to women being free and becoming equal to men. Published an article saying that motherhood should not keep a woman from working outside the home, that housework should be shared by men & women, and that women were currently forced to take on a social role and expected to be happy about it.

Early Feminism Early feminism developed as a response to gender inequality. E.G.: women were not able to inherit property, vote, run their own businesses, etc. Autonomy was, then, virtually impossible, because women could not support themselves financially & thus had to rely on their father or husband. Without the right to vote, women were also unable to bring forth any changes to these aspects of society, because they did not have a voice in government matters.

Problematic Aspects of Early Feminism However, feminism developed primarily to address the needs of wealthy white women. Minorities/the poor were not included. For example, some proposed conditions for voting were that voters be literate (something the poor likely would/could not be). Gilman herself believed (as did many at that time) that African Americans had not evolved to the same degree as whites, and that the government should take charge of those who were a burden on society. She also shared the belief that immigrants were affecting the reproductive purity of the nation, and that they had no place in America.

The Rest Cure Treatment After giving birth, Gilman recognized that she was sick, but that it was a mental rather than physical illness. She was prescribed the “rest cure,” which was solely given to women. She was not allowed to leave her bed, read, write, sew, talk, or feed herself. Her doctor’s instructions included having her kids with her all day, live a domestic life, lie down an hour after each meal, and have only two hours of intellectual stimulation per day. Though she tried to follow her doctor’s orders, her depression worsened and she came close to a full emotional collapse. According to her husband’s diaries, she even began to display suicidal behavior. As a result, the couple decided to get a divorce.

The Yellow Wallpaper After the divorce, Gilman took a vacation and began to write. She immediately noticed her depression lifting. She then wrote “The Yellow Wallpaper” to change people’s minds about the role of women in society, & show how a lack of autonomy can negatively affect one’s emotional and even physical wellbeing. The story was met with mixed reviews, but has since become one of the most famous feminist works.