SHORT STORY STUDY GUIDE

The Yellow Wallpaper

A short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman about a woman confined to a room and her descent into madness as she becomes obsessed with the yellow wallpaper.

Rest Cure

A treatment method that prescribed rest and isolation, typically used against women's psychological ailments in the late 19th century.

Oppression

Forces that restrict individual freedom and autonomy, particularly in relation to gender roles as depicted in Gilman's work.

Mind & Language

The relationship between mental health and the ability to express oneself through language, prominently explored in The Yellow Wallpaper.

Cosmic Irony

The notion that the universe is indifferent to human struggles, a theme prevalent in Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat.

Naturalism

A literary movement emphasizing the influence of environment and chance on human behavior, illustrated in The Open Boat.

Existential Realism

The philosophical viewpoint that emphasizes accepting the indifferent nature of the universe while creating personal meaning.

Redemptive Kindness

An act of compassion that can transform or alter a person's life trajectory, as shown in Langston Hughes' Thank You, Ma’am.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort of holding two conflicting beliefs, particularly evident in Lane Dean Jr.'s character in Good People.

Imagery

Descriptive language that evokes sensory experiences, used in these texts to create psychological states and emotional depth.

Symbolism in The Yellow Wallpaper

The wallpaper serves as a symbol of domestic entrapment and the struggle for identity against patriarchal constraints.

The Caged Bird

A metaphor in Maya Angelou's poetry representing the struggle for freedom and the human spirit’s resilience against oppression.

Epiphany

A moment of sudden realization often leading to character development or change, although it may be ironic or unresolved in some narratives.

Foil

A character who contrasts with another character, particularly in a way that highlights particular qualities of the other character.

Theme of Indifference

The idea that nature and the universe do not care about human existence, explored through various characters and situations in these works.

Internal Conflict

A psychological struggle within a character, such as Lane's moral dilemmas in Good People.

External Conflict

The struggle between a character and outside forces, notably seen in the men’s battle against nature in The Open Boat.

Protagonist

The main character driving the narrative forward; examples include the narrator in The Yellow Wallpaper and Lane in Good People.

Antagonist

The opposing force in a story, which can be another character or an abstract force, such as societal norms or nature.