"The Yellow Wallpaper"

Based on point of view, the narrator of a fictional piece of work is not always the author or vice versa. In "The Yellow Wall Paper" the author utilizes the first-person "I" to mask or expand the creditabilty of the work. The author assumes that first-person charactcher "I" advantage will draw readers into the posssibilty that the events taking place are possible, plausible and yet believable. As the story opens, the character is not defined! Who are we speaking about? The character does not appear to have a name or signifigance.  The main character does not have a sense of purpose; "John is a physician --- My brother is also a physician" (p. 565).

The narrator's version of events are questioned due to the fact that the physical capabilites of the character come into question. At the start of the story the character being described is dependant upon her spouse, Dr. John, both emotionally and physically. She has succumbed to her daily dose of drugs while her busy "lifesaving" husband is occupying his time saving lives worth saving. "So I take phosphates and phosphites--whatever it is"(p565). It was much deeper than the wallpaper. And her illness was just a mask for what lied beneath. The thoughts, repetition were sure to drive her crazy, if she dared to stay another day. Her husband cared for the sick each day, but it was his doubt that defined her illness. The lack of attention she received only personafied her lack of existence. To this fate, the more distracted she became by the pattern of the wallpaper. ; she was always spoiled by the things provided her in life. She must have been raised during an era where the men pursued their educations and provided for the family, while the women stayed home. Her only goal in life appeared to be living the good life and writing a book when time permitted. Pleasing her husband was not easy, especially if he weren't around! She was emotionally tormented in his absence. All she could focus on was the wallpaper. She was subject to the life as a lonely, Doctors wife with no goals and no life; her doctors could fix her physical ailments. She got around pysically most of the time or atleast that is what she made them believe. "There are things in that wallpaper that nobody knows but me, or ever will"(p569).
The reliabilty of the author does not remain consistent throughout the work. The author implies that Dr. John cares for his sick wife, when he is available, however the author also hints at the fact that Dr John's inlaw is also likely to provide his wife with what she needs emotionally or physically."My brother is also a physician". She dreams of having children of her own. At times you would think she actually has them. There's one comfort- the baby is well and happy ,and does not have to occupy this nursery"(p569). Perhaps her delusions come from the pill popping, the wallpaper or the emotions from being a lonely recluse. In this work, the author uses verbal irony as a narrative strategy to contradict what the character means versus what is being said. The character is happy with the benefits of being a Doctors wife but she was ill informed to the sacrifices that came along with the distinction.