short reading response paper

Amys Response to Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s’ “The Yellow Wallpaper”

“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman follows the narrator through her struggles with mental health that can be characterized as schizophrenia. The narrator is confined to a top floor room and not being allowed to leave shows how her illness wasn’t taken seriously, enhancing that women are seen as weak-minded and unable to control themselves. Mental health in this story suggests that not only is it not taken seriously when related to women, it is also not properly treated; rest can not be the answer to everything that ails women.

The narrator gets “unreasonable angry with John sometimes,” and is sure she “never used to be so sensitive,” thinking it “due to [her] nervous condition,” (Gilman). Her nervous condition being schizophrenia. She hides her emotions from John, seeming as though he does not truly care about whatever is wrong with her, almost ignoring what is going on. The reason for these changes in emotion and lack of are related to schizophrenia, as the narrator, herself has also made this connection.

Seeing faces and women stuck inside of the wallpaper trying to get out, is just one example of a schizophrenic hallucination in this short story. We have another where she sees the same women from the wallpaper creeping outside her window. None of this is said to John, even when he wakes up and she tries to talk to him about her condition after seeing the wallpaper move for the first time, he shuts it down stating how she is getting better. She makes a quick comment about how she is physically getting better before stopping short of what we can assume would mention her mental health declining. Not getting the proper treatment for any illness can have dire consequences, in this case, the narrator continues to become more delusional.

By the narrator herself, we can see how the treatment of those who can be deemed ‘hysteric’ or ‘disturbed’ would be shut away and rarely dealt with even by their own husbands who had more serious cases to tend to during this time. It seems as though no one else is in the house, but the mention of the bars on the window could also lead to the inference of being at an asylum of sorts, even though in the beginning we hear it has not been used for years.

The disability status that comes with mental health, is one that is also denied. We see this here as well when the husband “assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter […] but temporary nervous depression — a slight hysterical tendency — what is one to do?” (Gilman). Many, especially women, were undiagnosed and passed off as a case of hysteria. No one fought the doctors to truly find out what was wrong, and all doctors would do this. Along with the three mentioned in this story. Women were the only ones who were not so satisfied with the ‘diagnosis’ they received. The treatment of women in the medical field regarding mental disabilities has been one to put down a diagnosis just to keep them from saying anything further.

Schizophrenia has many different causes and symptoms. Relating all of these events in the story to the narrator having schizophrenia, all play an important role. Hallucinations, seeing women in the walls and also the same one woman outside of her windows, all point to some sort of psychosis. Her unstable emotions certainly play a role and are usually the first sign of any time of mental illness. Schizophrenia specifically makes sense because they are all together within the span of a few months, and her medications, that most likely are not designed for such conditions, are making it worse by treating the wrong illness.

I pledge.

Amy Rouse

Word Count; 624

Abigail’s Response to Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Treatment of Bibi Haldar”

In “The Treatment of Bibi Haldar,” Jhumpa Lahiri explores the different and complex relationships that disabled people, particularly disabled women, may have towards traditional gender roles. Through both Bibi’s own ideal of marriage and the responses of those around her to this dream, Lahiri questions the underlying assumptions that people make both about the power of marriage, its importance, and its unattainable status for disabled people.

At the start of the short story, the unnamed narrator, a friend of Bibi’s, notices that Bibi longs for a husband. She primarily expresses her desire in terms of gendered expectations: she wants to have the full experience of a wedding and married life, complete with the protection of a husband and the duties of a housewife. Bibi’s desires stand out because disabled people are often desexualized and infantilized, seen as perpetual children with no sexual, romantic, or social agency. She herself recognizes and laments that no one will ever take her out on a date or marry her. As a disabled woman, she is locked out of the same gendered expectations that stifle her able-bodied peers. The stress and pain of being cut off from such a common institution, of being seen as undesirable for marriage, leads to a worsening of her condition.

After one particularly harsh seizure, a doctor concludes that marriage will indeed cure Bibi. With the prospect of a man loving and marrying Bibi, the narrator suddenly begins to notice her beauty. She describes these new observations as “apprais[ing] the pleasures she could offer a man,” demonstrating that she views Bibi’s desirability through the lens of male gratification (Lahiri 162). The narrator’s attitude toward Bibi subtly shifts in another way alongside this newfound appreciation for her beauty; she and her friends begin teaching her in romance and marriage. Even though the narrator mostly refers to it as a way “to distract her” and doubts if anyone would actually marry her, this shift in treatment likely helped Bibi (Lahiri 165). With their coaching, Bibi is now more a part of her peer group, no longer lamenting her lack of prospects but actively seeking out a suitor and making herself desirable. The idea that Bibi may be a marriage prospect changes her self-perception and that of those around her, revealing how important it is for a woman to be seen as romantically and sexually appealing to receive respect and interest in a patriarchal society.

“The Treatment of Bibi Haldar” reveals an important member of intersectional feminism: the disabled woman who is prohibited from partaking in the same marriage and family life that her abled peers are pressured into. The experience of womanhood is not universal, and Bibi’s struggle for romantic fulfilment is both a product of a patriarchal society that devalues single women and the product of an ableist society that fails to see disabled people as romantic and sexual beings in their own right. It is impossible to speculate on how much of Bibi’s desire for a man is based on her society’s definition of a woman as a mother and homemaker, and how much of it is a genuine desire for romantic love.

Word Count: 524

I pledge

Rosemary’s Response to Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Jillian Weise’s “Nondisabled Demands”

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Arthur “Boo” Radley is seen as the town’s crazy resident, who never leaves his home and has all sorts of negative rumors spread about him. Jem and Scout’s curiosity about Boo Radley leads them to seek answers and pry into his strange life. Meanwhile in Jillian Weise’s “Nondisabled Demands,” Weise describes the entitlement that nondisabled people have when it comes to knowing personal details about people who have disabilities. In both of these works, the authors dictate the exploitation that people with disabilities face from able-bodied and -minded people on a daily basis.

In the fourth chapter of Lee’s novel, Jem, Dill, and Scout are looking for something to do when Jem comes up with a new game to play. He says “‘I know what we are going to play… Something new, something different… Boo Radley’”(43). This is essentially a proposal to use what little knowledge they have of Arthur to role play as what they would understand to be a crazy person. Not only is this notion rude in that they are using a game as an opportunity to make fun of Arthur, but they are also planning to participate in false assumptions about who he is. In the next chapter, Dill says “‘We’re askin’ him real politely to come out sometimes, and tell us what he does in there’”(52). Yet again the children are using what they think they know about Arthur’s disability as a means of entertainment. They are hoping that he will have some wild stories to tell, or that he really will be a commodity that they can observe. Arthur’s disability is exploited by the children as they intend to use it for their own enjoyment.

Weise’s poem also approaches the entertainment value that many nondisabled people take in learning about the lives of people with disabilities. “We’ll rope you / to the podium and ask / What do you have?” (lines 13-15). The image of being tied to a podium is very indicative of the resentment that some disabled people feel when they are bluntly and frequently asked about their disability. Weise later writes “then we get to say / You’re an inspiration” (lines 17-18). She is highlighting the tendency that many nondisabled people have to pity disabled people and view their disability as something they had to overcome. This attitude is then applied to their own lives in the general notion of “if they can overcome that, what do I have to be upset about?” This in itself is exploiting the lives of disabled people to make themselves feel better, or better themselves. These nondisabled people are using the narratives of people with disabilities for their own benefits.

Overall, both authors exemplify the derogatory views that are associated with disabilities and push the reader to consider what it might feel like to constantly be exploited in such a way that Arthur Radley, the speaker in Weise’s poem, and many disabled people are.

Word Count: 516

I pledge. Rosemary Pauley

Emily Saunders’s Response to “Until” by Ayisha Knight and “Introducing White Disability Studies: A Modest Proposal” by Chris Bell

Last semester in my Queer Literature Studies course taught by Professor Haffey, we spent one class period talking about the different ways to construct identity. One of the main takeaways from that discussion was that no two people can experience something in exactly the same way. While two people may share many labels in common, there will still be things that each individual is a member of that the other is not. In many ways this has informed how I look at identity as it is represented or spoken about in discourse around me, and it was especially prominent to me in the readings for today—namely, “Until” by Ayisha Knight and “Introducing White Disability Studies: A Modest Proposal” by Chris Bell.

Right off the bat in her poem, Knight confronts the problematic, exclusionary discourse around several groups with whom she identifies: Things like her blackness, queerness, religion, and deafness are often called into question as not being authentic enough for x, y, and z reasons. By pointing these things out, she calls attention to the idea that only one kind of experience can be representative of an entire group of people. This is, unfortunately, a widespread ideology enforced by the lack of discussion and consideration for intersectionality within any one group’s discourse.

Similarly, Bell challenges this position in his essay by suggesting the term “Disability Studies” be changed to “White Disability Studies” to more accurately name those who are included in the discourse (275). Instead of providing a list of ways in which scholars of White Disability Studies can be more inclusive (a conversation that has been had time and time again) he cleverly crafts one that would help the movement remain as whitewashed and singular as it is currently. The irony of his approach is that it not only makes the whiteness of the field glaringly obvious, but by listing what they shouldn’t do, he’s telling them what they need to. The fact of the matter is, only providing one form of authentic representation is one way to create and maintain power, over both the public sphere of influence and the individual. In this way, even bodies that are “different” can be regimented and managed, which only reinforces the power hierarchy that defines an individual person’s identity and its worth to society: a man is more valued than a woman, a white woman is more valued than a black woman, an able-bodied individual is more valued than a disabled individual. Everything can be compared against increasingly complicated and unfair standards.

This is where I can connect Ayisha Knight’s poem to Bell’s essay the best, because what he calls for—authentic, varied representation in the Disability Studies field—is what Knight proudly champions. She navigates the different parts of her identity, brings the listener along on a journey to self-love and appreciation, part of which came through in the form of recognition from an equal. A lover. She brings to the stage an honest voice that represents many different groups simultaneously, all wrapped up in one body—her own.

I pledge. Emily Saunders

Word Count: 510

Jessica Longhi’s Response to Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”

Of Mice and Men: Looking at George Milton as a Caregiver

In John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, character George Milton exemplifies the difficulties that caretakers of special populations face in his interactions with Lennie Smalls. George and Lennie travel together as they work on farms. It quickly becomes clear that Lennie has some form of a behavioral and/or cognitive disability. Lennie and George are both adults, but their exact age is unclear. Despite having entered adulthood, Lennie displays childlike behavior; “his huge companion [Lennie] . . . flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool . . . ‘Lennie, for God’s sake don’t drink so much . . . Lennie. You gonna be sick like you was last night” (Steinbeck 2-3). While traveling to a new farm to work for, Lennie and George stop by a semi-stagnant pond. Without thinking of the safety of the water, Lennie focuses on the need to satisfy his thirst. George, acting as Lennie’s guardian, prevents Lennie from drinking too much to avoid sickness. This is just one of many instances when Lennie needs the help of George in order to survive.

As the pair of men travel to a new farm to work at, the reason why they left their previous town is revealed. “You get in trouble, you do bad things and I got to get you out” George tells Lennie (Steinbeck 10). Prior to leaving, Lennie wanted to feel the cloth of a dress a girl in town happened to wear. Lennie approached the girl with no ill-intent, but she screamed. In response to the girl’s scream, Lennie himself became frightened and did not release his grip. The girl then claimed that Lennie raped her, resulting in the need for Lennie and George to run out of town. Throughout the novel, George points out that his life would be easier without having to take care of Lennie; “If I was alone I could live so easy” (Steinbeck 10). Lennie lacks the general understanding of the world that George possesses. Although George has his own faults, such as the language he uses to address Lennie, he acts as Lennie’s guardian with the best intentions by shielding Lennie from a world that does not understand him.

When George and Lennie arrive at the new farm in California, George instructs Lennie to not speak to anyone. George fears that if their new boss learns of Lennie’s disability, that the boss will remove them from the farm. George creates a story about Lennie that the other men on the farm will understand; “He got kicked in the head by a horse when he was a kid. He’s awright. Just ain’t bright. But he can do anything you tell him” (Steinbeck 21). The other men working the farm are able to understand Lennie’s behavior when there is a physical reason for it – such as the lie of Lennie receiving a kick to the head from a horse. George understands the worldview that faces people with disabilities, and does his best to protect Lennie from the brunt of it all. Ultimately, everything that George does for Lennie is to protect Lennie from the misunderstandings of others.

Disability In Steinbeck’s novel, “Of Mice and Men” by Samantha Rogers

In John Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice and Men,” we are introduced to the two main characters, George and Lennie. Throughout Steinbeck’s novel, George and Lennie travel in search of work, with hopes that they will eventually own property of their own. With big dreams in mind, the two boys travel to work on a Ranch. Disability is displayed within Steinbeck’s novel and is mainly depicted within the character, Lennie. George, the leader of the two, has promised Lennie’s aunt that he will take care of Lennie. Although we are unsure what Lennie’s disability is, it is obvious that his IQ and maturity level are low. This can be seen with Lennie’s obsession with soft things. When he finds something with qualities that are soft, whether it be fabric, a woman’s skirt, or a dead mouse, Lennie strokes the item and becomes attached.

Having a tendency of saying and doing things that George deems he shouldn’t, Lennie is continuously quizzed by George on the way to the ranch. George tells Lennie that he is not allowed to speak when they arrive at the ranch, as he is worried, they will not get the job if he does so. Throughout their travels, we notice George’s level of frustration and irritation with Lennie and his disabilities. Feeling ashamed and not wanted, Lennie tells George that he will leave and find a cave to live in so that he is no longer an irritant to George. Guilty for his actions and harsh words towards Lennie, George insists that Lennie stay with him. The conversation and mood between the boys are lightened as they begin talking about their big goals. Throughout the novel, it becomes evident that Lennie’s main goal is to own and tend to rabbits, but in order for him to do so he must follow directions given by George.

When the boys finally arrive at the ranch, George speaks for both himself and Lennie. Lennie’s disability is further seen when Curley attempts to beat Lennie. Without a mean bone in his body, Lennie is unsure how to defend himself. When George tells him to fight back, initially Lennie struggles to do so. However, as he is encouraged further, he ends up severely hurting Curley. As we dive deeper into the novel, it becomes clear that the fight scene between Lennie and Curley was not beneficial for Lennie due to his disability. Although Lennie is not mean and would never hurt anyone or anything intentionally his strength leads to the death of both animals and people.

In the novel, John Steinbeck also displays disability through a man, known as Crooks. Crooks, an older, African American man, has a limp and is isolated due to his race. Due to being isolated, Crooks has a temper and becomes irritated when Lennie comes into his room. Our first impression of Crooks, as a mean, angry man, quickly shifts and it becomes evident that Crooks mood is based on the fact that he is lonely. Although Crooks has a physical disability, his disability lies deeper than what is seen, as he struggles internally with isolationism and loneliness. Steinbeck’s portrayal of disability is relatable to Mary Shelley’s novel, “Frankenstein.” Crooks character reminds me of the Creature in Mary Shelley’s novel and much like Crooks, the Creature is isolated due to his size and outward appearance. After being isolated and lonely for a long period of time, the two characters become angry and take their frustration out on others to make their point known.

I pledge: Samantha Rogers

Word Count: 585

Taylor’s Response to Oscar Wilde’s “The Star Child”

In Oscar Wilde’s fairy tale “The Star Child,” we are introduced to a story about a young boy who is seen as beautiful, which causes him to be proud, cruel, and selfish. Due to all of these negative qualities he refuses to believe that an unseemly beggar woman is his mother. He later loses his beauty and devotes his time exploring the beggar woman’s whereabouts in hopes that she will somehow restore his beauty. Disability, like all common themes, is displayed across Wilde’s literature. For example, “The Birthday of the Infanta,” “The Selfish Giant,” and “Frankenstein,” which will be discussed in relation to the below characters. Disability awareness is portrayed through the two main characters, The Star Child and the old beggar lady.

The boy knew he was desirable, which made him narcissistic. Due to his believed superiority, as the son of a star, he believed that he is of higher- caliber than that of everyone else. The star child could be seen as having an internal disability, which is demonstrated when he becomes hideous and everyone turns their backs on him. He may still be beautiful, but his inward disability revealed and others saw what he really is, disabled. The boy reminds me a little of Victor Frankenstein, only because we see them both showing a lack of empathy, but also feeling love and kindness towards those without “disabilities. In-class discussion, my group brought up the possibility of Frankenstein having split personality disorder, I think this could also be said for that of The Star Boy. The boy responds to his “mother” wanting a kiss by displaying disgust and correlating a toad to be a better option than she, which demonstrates how people react towards those with disabilities. Another minor role that could be seen as disabled is the leper that the boy discovers along his journey. Lepers were seen as hideous scaly creatures, not humans, they were different which deemed them less than human. The old beggar lady was seen in the same manner.

The old beggar lady can be seen as disabled in the same way we see Frankenstein’s creation as disabled or the same way we see the dwarf in “The Birthday of Infanta” as disabled. All of the above characters represent disability in some way or another. Frankenstein’s creation is seen as hideous and is therefore isolated and treated like that of someone with a disability. The dwarf in “The Birthday of Infanta” is looked upon similarly. Although he is hideous and viewed as less than and is dehumanized, the princess keeps him around for her amusement. The old beggar lady’s situation is no different. The boy among others looks down upon this “disabled” woman and dehumanizes her by throwing stones at her and taunting her.

In Oscar Wilde’s fairy tale “The Star Child,” he displays disability through the lens of the old beggar lady as well as the star child. The common mistake with a disability is that it can be seen, the characters that are spoken about could have hidden disabilities that cannot be seen by another’s eyes, which is demonstrated by The Star Child. Disability is prominent in the old beggar lady more so than the boy. The old beggar lady’s “disability” is based upon her looks whereas the boy’s “disability” is hidden underneath his facade. There are so many different ways of looking at how authors and Wilde himself incorporated disability within their characters.

I pledge: Taylor Butler

Word Count: 573