The White Heron/The Yellow Wallpaper

Between these two stories there are many symbols and in some instances those symbols are parallel. The way in which men and women interact are very similar in these two stories. These interactions are symbolic of man's superiority of that time. In the "Yellow Wallpaper" the husband (who may be only a doctor?) has the final say-so in all of the ladies decisions. Also in support of this is the man expecting the old lady to take him in for the night. Women during this portrayed time had very little power. A few more symbols are obviously the wallpaper, the secluded house in both stories, the white heron, and the cow. To explain the wallpaper, it is apparent that this wallpaper can symbolize the women's deteriorating mind. Throughout the story the wallpaper is torn and by the end of the story it is in pieces across the floor. Much like that wallpaper is the ladies mind. While at the start she is 'sick' and at the end she is crawling around the perimeter of the room, lost in her insanity. The secluded houses show that these stories portray events outside of society. One house lost in the wilderness, another is away from the road and hidden. The characters in these stories are not 'normal' and the events that unravel are not everyday occurrences. The White Heron is symbolic of innocence. The cow is symbolic of the two ladies survival.  Both the grandma and the child have to chase it, or find it, but they need the milk to live. As I have stated, these short stories are full of symbols and I'm excited to see what others will find within these tales.