Gender Roles and Symbolism in Classic American Literature

Gender Roles in The Yellow Wallpaper and Trifles

In both "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell, women are trapped by the roles that society gives them. These stories show how women’s voices are ignored, and how that leads to suffering or rebellion.

The Yellow Wallpaper: A Symbol of Entrapment

In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the woman is told by her husband, who is a doctor, to rest and not think too much. He doesn’t believe she knows what’s best for her own health. She is stuck in a room where she starts to see a woman behind the wallpaper. The wallpaper becomes a symbol for how she feels trapped in her life. By the end, she believes she is the woman behind the wallpaper, and she loses her grip on reality.

Trifles: The Power of Small Details

In "Trifles," the women in the story are treated as if they only care about small, unimportant things. But those "trifles" help them understand what Mrs. Wright was going through:

• A broken birdcage
• A dead bird

They realize she was very lonely and possibly abused. In the end, the women decide to protect her by hiding the evidence. Both stories show how women are not listened to, and how being treated this way can lead to mental harm or quiet acts of resistance. These stories show that what society calls “small things” can actually be very important.

Symbolism in The Swimmer and Cathedral

In "The Swimmer" by John Cheever and "Cathedral" by Raymond Carver, the authors use symbols to show what is going on inside the main characters.

The Swimmer: A Journey Through Time

In "The Swimmer," Neddy swims through different pools in his neighborhood. He thinks it’s just a fun idea, but as he keeps going, everything starts to feel strange. People don’t welcome him, the weather changes, and he gets tired. The swimming pools are a symbol for the passage of time and Neddy’s life falling apart. He doesn’t want to admit he has lost his home and family, so he tries to pretend everything is normal.

Cathedral: Finding Connection Through Art

In "Cathedral," the narrator doesn’t understand much about blind people or feelings. But when he draws a cathedral with the blind man, he learns to see in a new way. The cathedral becomes a symbol of understanding and connection. Drawing it helps the narrator change and grow. Both stories use symbols to help readers understand how the characters are feeling inside, even if the characters don’t say it out loud.