To raise awareness of postpartum depression. Gilman herself experienced postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter, and she wrote "The Yellow Wallpaper" as a way to explore and express the psychological and emotional challenges of this condition. The story highlights the protagonist's descent into madness and the ways in which her mental health is affected by her oppressive and isolating environment.
To critique the patriarchal and medical treatment of women. The story is set in the late 1800s, when women had few legal rights and were often subject to the control of their husbands and doctors. The protagonist's husband, John, is a physician who treats her with a combination of rest and isolation. This treatment is based on the prevailing medical beliefs of the time, but it only serves to exacerbate the protagonist's mental illness. The story suggests that women were often denied the autonomy and agency necessary for their physical and mental well-being.
To explore the boundaries between reality and imagination. Throughout the story, the protagonist's perception of reality becomes increasingly distorted. She begins to see strange patterns and figures in the wallpaper, and she eventually becomes convinced that she is being held captive by a ghostly woman. It is unclear whether these visions are real or hallucinations, and this ambiguity serves to highlight the complex nature of mental illness. The story suggests that the line between reality and imagination can be tenuous, and that madness can result from the inability to distinguish between the two.
Overall, "The Yellow Wallpaper" is a multi-faceted story that can be interpreted on many different levels. Gilman's primary reason for writing it may have been to raise awareness of postpartum depression, critique the patriarchal and medical treatment of women, or explore the boundaries between reality and imagination. However, the story's complexity and open-endedness allow for multiple interpretations, and readers may find different meanings in it depending on their own experiences and perspectives.