Raft Assignment- "The Yellow Wallpaper"

January 3, 2012

Censorship Committee
385 Hysterianess Ave
Cambria, CA 93428
 

To Whom It May Concern:

First, I must thank you for allowing me to spend the time to talk to you about my opinion and thoughts in the decision you made about “The Yellow Wallpaper”.  I believe that this story should be published for the world to read; not because of the fact women suffer from hysteria but the idea that women also should have a say in what they believe is best for them to do with treatment.  I am also on Charlotte Perkins Gillman’s side and agree with her idea of conveying the belief that women are being forced into silence.  If this continues on, you can only imagine what the future holds for us and the rest of the world.  I don’t agree with the way the society is viewing women and men because society views them differently rather than equally.

By not publishing “The Yellow Wallpaper”, it shows that the “rest cure” is the only cure and that may not be the truth.  There are certainly other approaches to curing hysteria but we just haven’t found them yet but I promise you that we will.  If your only concern is that young women may refuse to medical treatment as the “rest cure”, that shouldn’t be your concern at all.  Yes some women may start to become curious and have other interests rather than staying at home to perform their traditional household duties but what crime is that?  Both men and women should be able to have other hobbies and explore other things in their daily lives . 

Charlotte Perkins Gillman shouldn’t be deprived from sharing her piece to the world just because the facts in the story are true.  The only thing she tried to do was stop the way women are being forced into silence.  By performing their duties and roles around the house, men were beginning to believe that by doing something else other than their daily activities meant that something was wrong.  Being forced to cook, clean, and take care of their husbands prevented them from expressing themselves. Forbidding women to wonder around in their own imagination can also tear them down physically and mentally.

Individuals crave self-expression.  Women, who are obligated to follow their husband’s commands to every word they say, start to lose who they are within themselves. By permitting this to occur, their freedom is being lost by their husbands’ dominance over them.  “The Yellow Wallpaper” does an amazing job portraying what could possibly occur if this continues; People begin to feel trapped and do anything possible to try to escape it.  All people, men and women, should feel free to do things other than what they’re used to doing day by day.  Breaking down the social barrier between both genders will lead to a simpler way of living.  Thank you again for your time.

Sincerely,

Michelle Nunez

296 Westfield 39^th street
Bellport , NY 11989