Definition of Tone
The tone at the beginning of “The Yellow Wallpaper” is anxious yet optimistic. Jane is nervous about her illness (it’s implied that she’s suffering from postpartum depression) but still hopeful that she will be cured. However, as the story progresses, the tone becomes darker, reflecting her anger and misery.
Jane begins the story as an articulate narrator who's still in control of her mind. She worries about her depression, but she is still able to enjoy her life. Sitting by the window of her new room, she takes in the beautiful view and describes it in her second diary entry:
Out of one window I can see the garden, those mysterious deep-shaded arbors, the riotous old-fashioned flowers, and bushes and gnarly trees. Out of another I get a lovely view of the bay and a little private wharf belonging to the estate. There is a beautiful shaded lane that runs down there from the house.
The tone at the beginning of “The Yellow Wallpaper” is anxious yet optimistic. Jane is nervous about her illness (it’s implied that she’s suffering from postpartum depression) but still hopeful that she will be cured. However, as the story progresses, the tone becomes darker, reflecting her anger and misery.
Jane begins the story as an articulate narrator who's still in control of her mind. She worries about her depression, but she is still able to enjoy her life. Sitting by the window of her new room, she takes in the beautiful view and describes it in her second diary entry:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Out of one window I can see the garden, those mysterious deep-shaded arbors, the riotous old-fashioned flowers, and bushes and gnarly trees. Out of another I get a lovely view of the bay and a little private wharf belonging to the estate. There is a beautiful shaded lane that runs down there from the house.