The Yellow Wallpaper
"…'I've got out at last,' said I, 'in spite of you and Jane. And I've pulled off most of the paper, so you can't put me back!' Now why should that man have fainted? But he did, and right across my path by the wall, so that I had to creep over him every time!"
The next journal entries:
The woman from behind the wallpaper is within me now. It has been glorious living with this freedom. I feel liberated to write whenever I please. Jennie has tried to make me come downstairs for tea, but I tell her that I do not want any. She will not let me see my dear child. She must think that I do not love him.
I wish that man could see me now. It is a shame that he has passed away. He was much weaker than I believed him to be. I am so very disappointed that I did not get to prove myself capable to him. However I do have a plan to make them see. Jennie was hesitant to let me make a call so I had to wait until she had gone to town. I managed to make an appointment with Doctor Weir Mitchell; I am determine to prove myself to him also. The Doctor was startled that I called, yet he agreed to the appointment. I could not tell him my true reason for the meeting. I have told Jennie that he contacted me with condolences for that man. I managed to escape the rest of her questions; she can be a sly woman. Ha! Her foolishness is undeniable; she thinks he would care about me. Jennie does not believe that my nervous condition has been cured. My feelings have altered. I am no longer a feeble lady; never do I feel tired or sad, no! I will break free soon. It shall not be long now until I can get out properly.
I am glad to have left that house. Returning home has made me more robust and the renovations look charming. The maids are kind, like Jennie was. There is one maid I have a particular liking for: Anne. She is an experienced lady and I trust her so very much. I even told her my plan and she agreed to help. Anne's husband is a gardener and that's where I got the equipment from. My excitement is almost irrepressible and I am looking to a new life. Tomorrow I will visit the Doctor. He is soon to be contrite.
Anne volunteered to accompany me to the appointment. Jennie was determined to come with me also; I am so pleased that Anne persuaded her to stay. She is a clever lady, carrying the equipment in her bag; Jennie would not ask to look through her belongings. Everything was going to plan and I felt great happiness.
Anne and I arrived as the Doctor's clinic where we were greeted by him personally. Upon making eye contact with Doctor Weir Mitchell I could feel my rage bubbling inside. I did my best to produce a small, polite smile and we went to his office. The room was familiar and its smell made me feel green. Before the Doctor spoke he turned to his desk and gathered pages of notes. Whilst his back was turned Anne handed me the small axe from her bag. Its weigh balanced in my hands and I felt great satisfaction.