“I didn’t realize for a long time what the thing was that showed behind, that dim sub-pattern, but now I am quite sure it is a woman.” – Charlotte Perkins Gilman, “The Yellow Wallpaper”
This story is about a woman who is trapped by society, her marriage, and her own mental illness. She is also literally trapped inside a room with ugly yellow wallpaper, and all she can do with her time is stare at the wallpaper. Eventually, she is convinced there’s a woman trapped behind the yellow wallpaper, but that woman is her!
Can you think of other stories that use metaphors to symbolize the main character? Or, if you were going to write such a story, how would you do it?
That’s a great writing prompt. Very thought-provoking.