The Yellow Wallpaper
by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

The Yellow Wallpaper: Situational Irony 1 key example

First Entry
Explanation and Analysis—Careful and Loving:

“The Yellow Wallpaper” uses situational irony to reinforce the author’s criticism of Victorian-era gender roles. It is evident that John cares deeply for his wife, Jane, but he also dismisses her needs. Jane recognizes this contradiction in a diary entry that summarizes John’s “cure”:

[John] is very careful and loving, and hardly lets me stir without special direction [...] he takes all care from me, and so I feel basely ungrateful not to value it more. He said we came here solely on my account, that I was to have perfect rest and all the air I could get.