Madness or Suicide? Is That Feminism?

 ...there is debate among three feminist critics...which provides a representative sampling of critical opinions. Declaring that the narrator's final "confinement, infantililzation, trivialization, banishment from discourse, [and] madness" are a triumph for patriarchy rather than a statement of feminism..."

Feldstein (403)

I've debated about whether I feel "Wallpaper" is a feminist piece of writing or not. The protagonist comes to no great end, much like the protagonist in "The Awakening." Madness or suicide, I still believe each of the characters contributed something to the awakening of the feminist spirit. When "Wallpaper" was written, women were still struggling heavily with societal acceptance of a woman with a career versus a housewife. I think Gilman demonstrates the impact of societal constraints and issues a plea for women to look at themselves and discover what they need in life versus what is expected of them.