Charlotte Perkins Gilman

In 'The Widow’s Might', two sisters and a brother grapple with the implications of their mother's impending move after her long illness. The conversation reveals the complexities of familial duty and the emotional weight of decisions regarding care and living arrangements, highlighting the tensions between personal desires and obligations to family.

In 'Three Thanksgivings,' Mrs. Morrison contemplates letters from her son Andrew and daughter Jean, both urging her to join them for Thanksgiving. The story explores themes of family, obligation, and the emotional complexities of aging as Mrs. Morrison weighs her options between independence and familial support.

In 'She Walketh Veiled and Sleeping', Charlotte Perkins Gilman explores the theme of women's latent power and self-awareness through poetic imagery. The poem reflects on the journey of women who, while seemingly passive and unaware of their strength, are guided by their hearts and souls towards awakening and empowerment.

In 'Locked Inside,' the speaker expresses a profound sense of entrapment and despair, reflecting on the internal struggle between duty and the longing for freedom. The poem culminates in a moment of realization that the key to liberation lies within oneself, symbolizing the power of self-awareness and agency.

In 'If I Were a Man,' Mollie Mathewson, embodying the ideals of femininity, yearns to experience life as a man. Upon magically transforming into her husband Gerald, she gains a new perspective on gender roles and the dynamics of power in relationships, revealing the constraints placed on women in her society.

In 'The Giant Wistaria', a mother grapples with her anguish over her child while facing the harshness of her father's authority. The story intertwines themes of motherhood, loss, and the struggle against oppressive familial ties, set against the backdrop of a flourishing vine that symbolizes both beauty and entrapment.

In 'An Extinct Angel,' Charlotte Perkins Gilman explores the concept of a species of angels that serve as comforting and soothing figures in human life, highlighting their paradoxical virtues and the burdens placed upon them. The narrative critiques the societal expectations of women and the roles they are forced to play in domestic life, reflecting on the interplay between human desires and angelic duties.

In 'Coming,' Charlotte Perkins Gilman articulates the awakening of women's roles in society, emphasizing their essential contributions to the world and the need for a more equitable partnership with men. The poem reflects a call to action for women to step out of their historical confines and embrace their power for the betterment of society and future generations.

The Yellow Wallpaper explores the descent into madness of a woman confined to a room by her husband, a physician who dismisses her mental health struggles. Through her journal entries, the story critiques the medical and societal norms of the late 19th century regarding women's mental health and autonomy.