Gender Defines Everything Gender roles appear to be as old as time and have undergone constant, but sometimes subtle, revisions over generations. Gender roles can be defined as the expectations regarding the behaviors, duties, and attitudes of male and female members of a society, by that society. The story “The Yellow Wallpaper” is a great example of this. There are clear divisions between the sexes. The story is set in the late 19th century, where a rigid distinction exists between the domestic role of women and the active role of men ("Sparknotes"). The story's female protagonists and antagonists exemplify the women of their time; trapped in a submissive, controlled and isolated domestic sphere, where they are treated like fragile and unstable children while men dominate the sphere of public work. In the story "The Yellow Wallpaper", a woman's role in society is one of domestic chores. Jeenie, the protagonist's sister-in-law, is a great example of this. The protagonist is forbidden, by her husband, to "work" until she recovers, so Jeenie steps in and assumes her domestic identity as woman and wife. The protagonist calls her a “perfect and enthusiastic housekeeper” and says that she “hopes for no better profession” (Gilman 343). Jeenie clearly has no aspirations outside the confines of her domestic role. The protagonist herself fears letting down her husband, John, by not fulfilling his domestic duties. She says “it weighs upon me, therefore, not to fulfill my duty in one way or another” (Gilman 342). In addition to the domestic role that she is unable to fulfill, the protagonist plays the role of a helpless and fragile woman where she is deemed incapable of thinking for herself and reduced to acting more or less...... middle of paper ......status of men. The short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman illustrates such roles and constraints. The protagonist of the story, isolated, condescending and dominated, is forced to return to the confines of her mind where her imagination runs free, slowly sending her into madness. Works Cited Gilman, Charlotte P. "The Yellow Wallpaper". The story and its author: an introduction to short fiction. Ed. Ann Charters. Compact 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011. 340-351. “Historical Collections:: Reflections on Health in Society and Culture.” Claude Moore Health Sciences Library | www.hsl.virginia.edu. February 13, 2012. “SparkNotes: Yellow Wallpaper. » SparkNotes: Today's most popular study guides. February 13. 2012 .