“The Giant Wistaria” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a chilling and thought-provoking short story that delves into themes of patriarchal oppression and the consequences of defying societal expectations. Set in the 18th and 19th centuries, the story follows an unnamed woman who faces the wrath of her father after giving birth out of wedlock. Through its exploration of gender dynamics, agency, and the tragic fate of its characters, the story presents a powerful critique of the oppressive nature of patriarchal norms.
The Giant Wistaria | Summary
The story is set in two distinct time periods, unfolding first in the 1700s, when an English family is embroiled in a scandalous affair. Their daughter, having given birth out of wedlock, prompts the family to force their daughter to flee to England in order to evade social disgrace and protect their esteemed family name.
Fast-forward to the late 1800s, where the dilapidated remnants of the family’s former residence are engulfed by an enormous wisteria vine. It is at this point that a wealthy young couple and their friends chance upon the dwelling, their senses instantly captivated by the rustic charm exuded by the surroundings. Enthralled and inclined to believe in the house’s haunted nature, they hastily rent the property, anticipating an eventful summer filled with spectral encounters. Over the course of their stay, the three couples revel in indulgences, partaking in mirthful revelry, feasting, and imbibing. Their collective anticipation culminates in a pivotal moment when the black londree of them bear witness to a spectral apparition—an ethereal young woman, wrapped in a shawl. Significantly, one of the observers perceives her engaged in a curious act, stooped near a deep well discovered in the cellar, her hands tugging at a chain that vanishes into the abyssal depths.
The ensuing morning dawns with a startling revelation. The couples stumble upon the remnants of a cadaver within the well-bucket, an unsettling testament to the macabre occurrences within the house’s depths. They unveil the skeletal remains of a young girl ensnared in the gnarled embrace of the wistaria vines adorning the façade.
The Giant Wistaria | Analysis
The story serves as a scathing critique of the patriarchal society of the time, exploring the constraints imposed on women and the dire consequences of defying societal expectations, illustrating the subjugation of their will and ideals of submission. The tone oscillates between fascination, foreboding, and despair. Initially, there is an air of enchantment as the characters are drawn to the rustic charm of the haunted house. However, as the narrative progresses, a sense of impending doom and unease pervades the story, mirroring the oppressive atmosphere of the patriarchal society being depicted.
The story employs a haunted house as a symbolic framework to highlight gender-related issues and the brutal outcomes they entail. The tale exposes the patriarchal mechanisms employed to restrict women’s agency, confining them to domestic duties or controlling their social roles. This systematic manipulation is depicted through the male characters’ efforts to suppress and diminish women’s aspirations and choices. The father in the story seeks to punish his daughter for her unwed and illegitimate pregnancy, demonstrating the societal pressure to conform to respectable norms. The insinuation of abandonment implies the disposability of an offspring born outside of wedlock, revealing a callous disregard for the desires of women. The revelation that the house’s owners are the ancestors of the previous story, coupled with the discovery of the imposing wistaria vine, establishes a direct link to the conflicts in the previously arching narrative.
The father’s initial comparison of his feelings to the growing plant sets the stage for the metaphorical significance the wistaria assumes as an embodiment of his outrage over his daughter’s transgressions. It becomes a manifestation of the societal expectations and patriarchal norms that aim to control and suppress women’s behavior. It is important to note that the father’s objections stem not from concern for his daughter’s well-being or the challenges she may face as a single mother, but rather from his distress over the potential damage to the family’s reputation. In the patriarchal framework of the time, the act of a woman giving birth outside of wedlock was deeply stigmatized.
Furthermore, the growing extent of the wistaria vine, covering the entire front of the house, suggests the escalating consequences of the father’s anger. The narrative implies that his fury may have intensified, leading to far-reaching implications for the lives of those involved. The culmination of the visitors’ investigation unveils the truth behind their haunting nightmares and the peculiarities of the wistaria: the skeletal remains of a woman entangled in the suffocating grip of the vine. The presence of a tiny scarlet cross hanging from her neck on a delicate gold chain further emphasizes the complex symbolism at play.
This intertwining of the wistaria vine with the woman’s skeletal remains signifies the silencing of her voice and the constraints placed upon her. The climbing vine may be interpreted as a symbol of both maternal sacrifice and the grotesque reminder of the suppression endured by the woman, whose very existence remains rooted in a metaphorical and literal strangling grasp. The fact that her remains are discovered in the cellar implies her deliberate choice to remain there rather than succumb to the demands of her father, showcasing a need for autonomy. The house, under the oppressive structures of patriarchy, symbolizes women being figuratively buried alive, their rights and autonomy stripped away, leaving them voiceless and confined.
The tragic conclusion prompts the reader to ponder upon the consequences of a system that denies women agency and forces them into submission. It unfolds with the unnamed character’s untimely demise, alongside her infant child. However, the circumstances surrounding her death remain ambiguous, leaving open the possibility that her father may have been the agent of her tragic fate. The narrative’s finale introduces the notion that she may have willingly chosen to imprison herself in the chamber rather than abandon her baby, suggesting that her father’s oppressive constraints ultimately drove her to this fatal end. This outcome serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty inherent in his violent behavior and exemplifies the extent to which he seeks to exert control over her. Furthermore, it can be interpreted as a symbolic act, highlighting that her downfall becomes the only means through which she can reclaim her autonomy and break free from the shackles of male domination.
The Giant Wistaria | Themes
Through the character of the unnamed woman, the narrative confronts the consequences faced by women who deviate from prescribed gender norms. Her unwed pregnancy becomes a source of shame and disgrace within her family, as her father’s patriarchal values dictate that her actions have tarnished the family’s honor. This exemplifies the theme of the objectification of women, where their worth is measured solely by their adherence to societal standards and their ability to fulfill prescribed roles.
The story also adeptly employs the narrative structure to highlight the indelible impact of past events on the present, underscoring the inescapable nature of historical events presented through the hauntings. The symbolism of the wistaria vine, with its relentless growth and pervasive presence, serves as a potent reminder that the past, once buried, can resurface and haunt individuals and society alike. The vine’s growth also mirrors the escalating control and dominance over the woman’s life, culminating in her tragic demise.
The writer portrays the realm of motherhood as a contested territory, where women are subjected to the authority and restrictions imposed by patriarchal norms. The story highlights how societal expectations confine women to predefined roles as mothers and wives, relegating them to the domestic sphere. This theme is captured through the character of the unnamed woman who, upon violating these expectations by bearing a child out of wedlock, becomes a target of shame and retribution.
Through the concept of control, the oppressive power dynamics at play are illustrated in the story. The male characters, particularly the unnamed woman’s father, exert their control over her choices and decisions regarding motherhood. Their actions reflect a desire to maintain social standing and preserve the patriarchal order, ultimately silencing the woman’s agency and subjecting her to their will. The story employs symbols and imagery to depict the theme of control within motherhood.
Furthermore, the story raises questions about the nature of freedom and autonomy for women within a patriarchal society. The unnamed woman’s tragic fate, possibly at the hands of her father, highlights the limited choices available to women when their actions defy societal norms. Her decision to potentially imprison herself with her child in the chamber signifies a desperate attempt to retain agency and resist the dominance of patriarchal forces. This exploration of female agency and the high stakes associated with defying societal expectations deepens the narrative’s examination of gender dynamics. The narrative also underscores the nature of conformity emerging as a cautionary tale, exposing the inherent dangers it poses to individual happiness and self-fulfillment. The story urges readers to question the oppressive norms that restrict individuality and to embrace the pursuit of personal freedom and self-expression.
The Giant Wistaria | Title
The wistaria in the title, is a flowering vine, that serves as a metaphorical representation of the forces of patriarchal control and oppression that dominate the narrative. The epithet “giant” emphasizes the overwhelming magnitude of these societal expectations and the suffocating grip they have on the characters. By juxtaposing the delicate beauty of the wistaria with its menacing growth, the title encapsulates the paradoxical nature of the patriarchal system, wherein the allure of tradition and social norms conceals a destructive power that entraps and suppresses women.
The Giant Wistaria | Character Sketch
As the central character, the unnamed woman embodies the struggles and injustices faced by women in a patriarchal society. She defies societal norms by becoming an unwed mother, facing the wrath and shame of her father. Her determination to keep her child and her eventual tragic fate highlights the high stakes and oppressive nature of patriarchal control.
The father of the unnamed woman represents the embodiment of patriarchal authority and societal expectations. Driven by a desire to maintain the family’s reputation, he imposes harsh measures upon his daughter, seeking to erase the perceived shame caused by her actions. His rigid adherence to patriarchal norms and his control over the lives of women exemplify the oppressive nature of the system.
The wealthy young couple and their friends who rent the haunted house contribute to the narrative as witnesses to the supernatural events. Their fascination with the house’s rustic charm and the prospect of encountering ghosts reflects society’s morbid curiosity about the taboo and the unknown. They serve as a backdrop, highlighting the disconnect between their frivolous entertainment and the tragic reality of the unnamed woman’s story.
The Giant Wistaria | Literary Devices
The story employs a dual timeline narrative structure, shifting between the 1700s and the 1800s. This structure allows Gilman to draw parallels between the past and present and also enhances the sense of mystery and revelation as the characters uncover the buried history of the house.
The vine symbolizes the suffocating grip of patriarchal oppression, its relentless growth mirroring the escalating forces that trap and confine women within societal expectations. The well in the cellar symbolizes hidden secrets and repressed emotions, while the skeletal remains signify the silenced voices and lives lost under the weight of patriarchal control.
The story also employs foreshadowing to create a sense of impending doom. The recurring dreams shared by the characters foreshadow the revelation of the buried secrets and the connection between past and present.
Vivid imagery enhances the eerie atmosphere of the story, descriptions of the decaying house, the entwined wistaria vine, and the haunting dreams create a vivid visual landscape for readers.
Irony is employed to highlight societal contradictions and hypocrisy. The friends’ fascination with the haunted house, mistaking its rustic charm for romanticism, contrasts sharply with the tragic reality of the unnamed woman’s life. The ironic disparity between their superficial ghostly fantasies and the actual horrors experienced by the unnamed woman highlights the disparity between appearances and truth.
Concluding thoughts
In this timeless tale, Gilman’s masterful storytelling and incisive social commentary continue to resonate, inviting readers to critically examine the limitations placed upon women and the profound impact of patriarchal control.
