CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
C. External Conflict
In the yellow wallpaper, external conflict apparent in some circumstances, as dissent, restrictions, and indifference. John who took care of his wife who was ill and felt knowing what is best for the healing of his wife is the background of the external conflict. He brought his wife to home that away from the crowd. John forbade her to write, socializing and working. John's wife just obeyed her husband.
“you see, he does not believe I am sick! And what can one do? Is a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression – a slight hysterical tendency – what is one to do? (Gilman, 1997: 1).
The conflict also occurs between John, his wife and John's brother in law.
John is a doctor who knows everything, so his wife does not argue all the orders of John. John's brother in law also is a doctor. John's wife is getting depressed facing them. They asked John's wife to take medicine and so on, but Julia cannot be healed. Although John's wife did not agree with them, she did not say anything.
My brother is Also a physician, and Also of high standing, and he says the same thing. So I take phosphates or phosphites - whichever it is, and tonics, and journeys, and water, and exercise and am absolutely forbidden to "work"
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until I am well again. Personally, I disagree with Reviews their ideas (Gilman, 1997: 1).
Socialization is the process of communication and interaction to strengthen the fraternity (family, friends, and neighbors). Socialization also contributes to shaping the personality, reduce stress and expand friendships. In the curing process, John's wife did not leave the house. She was not allowed to socialize with the surrounding community. She felt if socializing can alleviate her burden, but John does not agree. John thought that the socialization can increase her stress.
I sometimes fancy that in my condition if I had less opposition and more society and stimulus-but John says the very worst thing I can do is to think about my condition, and I confess it always makes me feel bad (Gilman, 1997:
2).
John's wife is unlike the room that selected by John. The room windows were barred. There are items that have been unsuitable and playground and gymnasium.
In addition, there is a wallpaper that has been damaged. John's wife says that the room was not comfortable and there was a strange feeling in the room. She wants the room below, but John does not obey her urge, he said the room was perfectly suited to his wife. They had two weeks occupying the house, John's wife was very nervous, she was very disturbed by the wallpaper and atmosphere of the house, but John ignores it.
I don’t like our room a bit. I wanted one downstairs that opened on the piazza and had roses all over the window, and such pretty old-Fash-ioned chintz hangings! But John would not hear of it (Gilman, 1997: 2).
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But these nervous troubles are dreadfully depressing. John does not know how much I really suffer. He knows there is no reason to suffer, and that satisfies him (Gilman, 1997: 3).
John's wife has high imagination, she likes to write. Writing is one way to calm the mind can even create a masterpiece. This is deprived of intellect and imagination. According to John, his wife is better to focus attention and energy to cure of depression suffered by the rested rather than spending energy to write.
This is contrary to the thought of his wife.
But John has cautioned me not to give way to fancy in the least. He says that with my imaginative power and habit of story-making, a nervous weakness like mine is sure to lead to all manner of excited Fancies, and that I ought to use my will and good sense to check the tendency. So it try. I think sometimes that if I were only well enough to write a little it would relieve the press of ideas and rest me (Gilman, 1997: 4).
There comes John, and I must put this away, - he hates to have me write a word (Gilman, 1997: 3).
John and his wife argues in the middle of the night. John's wife tries to tell his fear of the house for the second time. John's wife depression disturbs herself. She wants to leave the house. John considers his wife's hallucinations are worse, but her physical condition improves, but John's wife disagrees with John. She feels her weight does not increase. She feels better when John is beside her.
“I don’t weight a bit more,” said I, “nor as much; and my appetite may be better in the evening when you are here, but is worse in the morning when you are away!” (Gilman, 1997: 9).
In any conflicts that John's wife face, she is just trying to survive. She did not deny every John’s words. John always gives advice and suggestions for his wife
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based on the reality and his knowledge. The disagreements often occur between them, but John's wife who always succumbs and tries to understand her husband, although she hurts herself. She expressed her disapproval in the mind, without anyone to listen and defend her.
2. Making a Change
The main cause of external conflict is blaming each other. Julia was a music teacher who outstanding. Now, she is taking care of the new baby and be a woman who was tired. Frank disgusts to hear a baby's cry. He asks Julia to calm his son. Julia said that she did not know how the way. Julia feels confusion.
Mrs.Gordins Senior have contributed to the situation. Frank asks Julia to give their son to the Mrs.Gordins senior. Frank feels his mother-in-law knows the best thing for their children.
"Is there no way to stop that child crying?" he demanded.
"I do not know of any," said his wife, so definitely and politely that the words Seemed cut off by machinery.
"I do," said his mother with even more definiteness, but less politeness
"(Gilman, 1997: 49)
Julia's son continued to cry, while Julia and mother-in-law were uncompromising. Mrs.Gordins senior should not take care of his son's life. She felt the most person who to take care of her grandchildren. She told Julia that her son does not cry if her who guarding. That statement hurt Julia. Julia denied the words of mother-in-law. According to Julia, there is no point to talk about
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something that past. Frank and his mother should make a change, so they have better lives.
“There's no need at all for that child's cyring so, Frank. If Julia would only let me. –“
“It's no use talking about it," said Julia. If Frank is not satisfied with the child's mother he must say so-perhaps we can make a change (Gilman, 1997: 1).
Mrs.Gordins senior assumes that Julia is not a good mother. Julia cannot stop the child’s crying. Mrs.Gordins senior always hurt Julia. She did not know that Julia had been trying hard to be a good mother and wife. Mrs.Gordins senior ask Julia’ son to be given the best care. As a mother, she does not agree with Frank’s idea. Julia felt is not her mother-in-law’s right. Julia said the disagreement of mother-in-law words to Frank, but Frank defended his mother.
"I will not stand mother having spoken to like that," he stated with a decision.
"I will not stand having her interfere with my methods of bringing up children."
"Your methods! Why Julia, my mother knows more about taking care of babies than you'll ever learn! She has the real love of it and the practical experience. Why can not you let her take care of the kid and we'll all have some peace! "(Gilman: 1997: 50).
Dissent often happens in a family. The solution also depends on each person, there is submit and fight. In this story, Julia as a persecuted character is an intelligent person. She dared to express her feeling. Mrs.Gordins senior want to take her son and Frank support that. Julia says disagree with her husband decision.
Julia says her family needs a change, so they got the solution to their problem.
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