Ambition: Giving the World All You Have to Offer

788 Words4 Pages
When an individual’s ambition is suppressed because of their own lack of confidence as well as societal boundaries, the variation of relationships within their life is limited. As relationships are a defining factor to every person’s identity, a lack of variation limits many other factors, such as hobbies and careers. Conversely, an ambitious individual who breaks free of personal and societal bounds will attract many types of relationships; therefore, collaborating what they have to offer with what others will offer them. This collaboration opens many doors and broadens an individual’s variation in lifestyle. In Gilman’s short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the 19th century female narrator experiences societal restrictions but does not yet have the confidence within herself to break free and fulfill her ambitions, giving the world all she has to offer. Through the use of the symbols, the wallpaper and the nursery she is confined in, the restrictions on this woman’s ambition are exemplified. Especially in the 19th century before the feminist movement, society restricted many types of people from satisfying their dreams; consequently, these oppressed groups were forced to submit to this dominating force. Gilman writes, “Then in the very bright spots she keeps still, and in the very shady spots she just takes hold of the bars and shakes them hard.” describing the sub pattern, a woman, of the wallpaper. While this woman depicted in the wallpaper is in the light, the view of society, she doesn’t move or rebel; equally, when the woman is in the dark, alone, she resents society and the “bars” it places in front of her. In this case, the “bars” are in the form of the stereotype and role society determined for woman; furthermore, society prearranged that every woman was to be the homemaker: cook, clean, raise children, and care for the man of the household. Other
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