First Impressions

The Yellow Wall-Paper

"I am glad my case is not serious!"

With such simple narrative and predisposed notions, it was difficult to determine whether I was reading too much into things or not; however, in the end, one can conclude that since the authoress is not around to beat me horribly should my suppositions be wrong, I may as well speak my mind. Gilman presents a number of opportunities to explore symbolism and the ego of the narrator throughout her story, but it was this simple line that struck me the most. It perpetuated the narrator's congenial approach toward the reader and made her relatable; yet, when read aloud, the statement becomes ambiguous. Depending on the tone with which the reader interprets the line, the narrator may be truly grateful, relieved, or sarcastic. The idea of gratitude is easy to recognize. Gratitude and relief stem from a feeling of sympathy toward those "cases" that are serious and require John's attention. This sympathy might reflect fear of being physically sicker or being under John's supervision that much more. As for sarcasm, resentment can be read in the face of John abandoning her to the "atrocious nursery". While he may come and go as he pleases at all hours of the night or day, she is confined to her room for the most part. Therefore, the reader's tone adds a unique and personal facet to the overall interpretation of the story. A number of works could adhere to this idea, but a recent one that I have encountered that has suffered multiple theories over the years depending on personal perception has been "The Arnolfini Wedding Portrait" by Jan van Eyck. Over the years, numerous art historians have presented any number of ideas as to the relationship of the couple within the picture and the connotations of the items in the background. Once again, it is simply something subject to personal perception.

Ain't I a Woman?

"If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?"

It is odd that a speech noted for its feminist aspects would have such a dangerously misleading analogy. Then again, perhaps not, considering the impromptu nature of it. Either way, in a quest for equality, this statement could be easily used by the opposition to prove a point. While Sojurner may have been promoting her humility by presenting her cup as smaller than her companion's, it could also be read that her cup is inferior, as might she be, owning such an item. Therefore, the opposition could state that she, herself, acknowledges that she is inferior and only deserving of that which is owed such inferiority. Oddly enough, this reminded me of the famously contentious line from the Declaration of Independence, "All men are created equal." For centuries, Americans have argued about the definition of "men". Those seeking equality often interpret it as man representing the human race while their opponents define it as the political "man" of the colonial era, a land-owning, older, white male. It is a vivid reminder of the power of one's words.

Lady Lazarus

"Peel off the napkin
O my enemy.
Do I terrify?"

I will admit that I have not a clue what this means. With talk of Nazis, resurrection, and what sound like the traveling sideshows of the early 20th century, I became very lost. There are many sayings to the effect that a woman does not like messy death-- If she murders, she will pick the sneaky method of poision. If she commits suicide, she will pick a method that will not mar her beauty. While these are obviously stereotypes, being personally suicidal, Plath may have heard such sayings and this line could be seen as either an attempt to frighten or an insecure need for a reaffirmation of beauty though she has been dead. As possibly a female corpse with the intent to frighten, the line conversely reminds me of Rosalia Lombardo, a famous mummy of a young girl so perfectly preserved that her delicate eyelashes are still intact after being dead almost a century. The dead do not need beauty, but it does seem to be a great concern throughout history.

When I was Growing Up

"...I hungered for American food, American styles coded: white and even to me, a child born of Chinese parents, being Chinese was feeling foreign, was limiting, was unAmerican."

I sympathize. It is very difficult to grasp the merits of one's own culture when being bombarded by images of another that is supposedly better. These feelings are the same that prompted David Henry Hwang to write FOB and update the musical "Flower Drum Song". I am also reminded of the notion that nothing is truly American as we are all descended from immigrants. In terms of American cuisine, the only thing that comes quickly to mind is the corn dog.

The Thirty Eighth Year

"...i have wrapped me in your skin and made you live again."

I think there are few women who can say that they have not seen something of their mother in themselves at one time or another. There really is no better example than real life since it is often easy to see our parents reflected in ourselves. If that prospect is a bit frightening, the same idea should be just as applicable to siblings.

-C. Johnson