The Yellow Wallpaper (audio only)

NARRATION OF TEXT WHICH IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
A creepy story (Charlotte Perkins Gilman,1892) that tells the tale of a woman's descent into psychosis as she becomes obsessed with the pattern and colour of the wallpaper in her bedroom.
You can read it here:
www.gutenberg....
or download it from here (epub, kindle, text):
www.gutenberg.o...
And read about it here:
en.wikipedia.o...
www.sparknotes....

[@ANIMAL.LOVERS.DONT.EAT.ANIMALS]

My imagination when I first read this book was that the "yellow wallpaper" was actually her sickly/possibly-self-harmed skin, (that's why it's a nasty yellow color with burnt orange spots that are almost red in places) with her fingerprints and skin texture being the "maddening pattern". That's why her husband faints at the end, because she has ripped her skin off.

[@sav6700]

i love this interpretation

[@ANIMAL.LOVERS.DONT.EAT.ANIMALS]

@@sav6700 thank you lol!

[@phoebesoeteman]

Damn love that interpretation!

[@hannah-nr8et]

whoa I never even thought of that !! Now that I look back at how she described things, it makes sense !!

[@JustRaydogg]

Disturbing interpretation, I like it.

[@tianamurphy345]

when my teacher say “read the yellow wallpaper” ok i’ll “read it”

[@keimiguijosa5546]

Tiana Murphy omg same! For what school

[@chuchu8625]

Lol same I’m in ap lit🥲

[@zulmariedelacruzlizardi8286]

Me right now😭😂

[@str1pes617]

My teacher gave us this link🙌🙌

[@ivyramirez3206]

Word but ngl seems good to read it cuz like this audio kinda makes wanna read it but I’m too lazy to

[@chatteringbox7583]

I don't care if I was assigned to read this by my English teacher, this is one of my favorite short stories

[@katana_on_a_keychain]

I love how well your voice fits this role. Idk if that sounds weird, but it just completes the story so perfectly AAAAHHHH

[@dove4070]

Thank you so much! That's very sweet of you to say.

[@kelsieroach8896]

thats what i was thinking!:)

[@spearageddon3279]

I thought the same. Listened to this while painting a wall and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@kevinjmartin1444]

It’s not weird to show love for something

[@AllenChibi]

i read this yesterday in the book 'Short Stories from the 19th Century', i gotta say this is the most unforgettable short story i've ever read. So good and i can't believe it's from 1892! Her writing on mental illness is so... top notch.

[@ANIMAL.LOVERS.DONT.EAT.ANIMALS]

It's really freaky how accurate it is to this day. The way her spouse really does love her but is too stressed out about the possibility of his cure not working that it leads him to silence her, and her feeling guilt about it and needing to be the stronger person because she doesn't want to worry him, even though she's the one already suffering...

[@jedanimates]

the way you read her character sounding all sweet and gentle makes me all the more terrified knowing that something horrible will happen. great job!

[@karinturkington2455]

It's remarkable where one's mind can go when being denied one's own reality, in her case, the need to create through writing.

[@swaglordstar]

thank you! my teacher wanted us to read this piece but I cannot read in my head and have trouble reading myself because of my attention issues. this is so helpful!!

[@dove4070]

Glad I could help!

[@kneecole6163]

Same

[@chuwee3835]

Same

[@nicewater894]

Dinosaur!

[@joearnold6881]

Whose head _can_ you read in, then?

[@chatsmeow2997]

I like how instead of changing your voice as the woman's madness deepened, you kept it somewhat the same, only really changing it when her reality shifts slightly, like when she determines to stay and examine the paper. It really emphasizes how she does not think anything is different in her. When she says things like how she keeps seeing women creep about the grounds, you really can picture it because she is describing it so normally. Nicely done :)

[@skullshapedbox]

As a child who faced a lot of neglect and abuse, i would also find faces, movement, scenes within my frosted window panes or popcorn ceilings. I could hear whispers of conversations of those inside the glass, both too fast and too slow. Some winows were my favorite, while other areas of the house were too much. Just like a haunted house.

[@skullshapedbox]

Now I am a housewife, a caged bird, circling my cage and singing to myself. I've had to cover my mirror in my bedroom; the depersonalization is too much.

[@booknerd9691]

Such an odd form of treatment. I wasn't aware when I first read this 10years ago but university shed light on the fact that Charlotte Perkins-Gilmen actually went through this treatment for her own postpartum depression. (Little note: there is good reason as to why they DO NOT recommended isolation as a treatment anymore

[@tabieeeeee]

This audiobook is well recited. The tone of voice is splendid. Just to note, there is a missing line in the reading. What was not read in "The Yellow Wall-paper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is as follows, "I think sometimes that if I were only well enough to write a little it would relieve the press of ideas and rest me." In the end, I appreciate this audio being available as it is helping me in my American Literature II course. Many thanks.

[@iang257]

Don't know if you'll see this. But you did such a great job reading this. I enjoyed every moment of it and you perfectly encapsulated the woman in the story.

[@dove4070]

Thank you Ian!!!

[@dove4070]

I read this for the first time when I was rather young, and thought it was about ghosts, not madness. It's still as wonderful all these years later ... enjoy! Links to download free epub / Kindle / text / online versions in the description.

[@dove4070]

Haha, some people just don't get hints. "The wallpaper is driving me crazy, no *really*" Charlotte's inspiration actually came from her own near mental breakdown (influenced by wallpaper? Who knows...) She wrote this story to protest at the medical treatment of women who were mentally ill. In the story she mentions "Weir Mitchell" and that she does not want to go to him; he was in fact a real doctor and apparently she said "the real purpose of the story was to reach Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, and convince him of the error of his ways". When she was ill she was told to rest and live a "domestic life", was not allowed to write, draw or paint and was allowed only two hours of mental stimulation a day. Which made her worse, of course. Do you like any creepy/ghost/horror stories from the past?

[@UN-Seki]

My teacher said this story is about gaslighting and John leading the protagonist to that state.

[@theunbrokenbarb169]

That is the beauty of stories, particularly short stories. They can be interpreted many ways. As we grow and read them again, we often discover new things and new ways to interpret them. This story is obviously about the horrors of how mentally ill women were treated and how the old practices actually made them worse. However, if viewed through the protagonist's eye, it really is a ghost story. She truly believes in the woman behind the paper and , in her mind, it has a very real effect on her. This is why I love short fiction.

[@erica4748]

It’s about her being slowly drove bad by mold spores maybe she has a lowered immune system due to something else but oh my goodness I am living her story

[@QuotidianWriter]

Absolutely wonderful reading of this story! I'm so glad I came across this. I read this story when I was a young teen and didn't fully understand it, since it seemed like nothing had really happened in the story. Now, upon rereading it a decade and a half later (the audio alongside the text), I have a newfound appreciation for the story's style and context. Thank you for taking the time to record this lovely narration!

[@zero-yj6ho]

what did you miss the first time that you found out now?

[@QuotidianWriter]

@@zero-yj6ho I didn't really feel the intensity of the narrator's isolation and social pressure-the way her husband doesn't want her to write or do anything mentally stimulating. I didn't understand, at thirteen, that any (patriarchy-induced) anxiety in women was historically treated as a mental illness to be "corrected" through a rest cure. It was revolutionary for Gilman to write this story during that time period. I also hadn't realized how the narrator's sister-in-law exhibits internalized misogyny that further subjugates the narrator: "She is a perfect and enthusiastic housekeeper, and hopes for no better profession. I verily believe she thinks it is the writing which made me sick!"

[@kswinton2666]

We're all here for 2020 English class huh

[@Taniaperez_01]

What sup!!!!!!!

[@zairetorres8889]

Right grade 11

[@sawyerstrandberg7727]

@@zairetorres8889 Haha more like 9th

[@snazztacular]

what's good!!

[@chuchu8625]

It be like that

[@ajewel288]

I first read this in 2004 for a college lit class. Almost 20 years later (welp!) it is still one of the most powerful pieces I’ve read. Love your reading.

[@dove4070]

Thank you! :)

[@wr1ght939]

Honestly I expected this to be really boring, but this got really interesting. The author did a great job depicting her descent into madness.

[@kayzeaza]

I’ve read this story a bunch, one of my favorites. I had to read it again for my Lit class. The voice of the narrator for so well! It definitely added something to the story for me!

[@kayzeaza]

Update I had to read this again for an American Women Literature class LOL

[@rosacastillo8859]

What a great story, the author is pure genius and your voice fits the role perfectly! You really brought this book to life, thank you!

[@braedenchapman7227]

Interesting reading this for English on quarantine

[@saltix0]

Thanks a lot for uploading this. I was introduced to the book by Kane Pixels, a creator who makes videos on a similar kind of horror called the "backrooms". The progression is so chilling I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. Thanks for reading tho! (I'm a big horror fan but I haven't been this impressed in years)

[@hannahjcattanach3324]

Omg. This was my first experience of this story and my mind is blown. I need to sit down...

[@dove4070]

😃

[@marianaconsoli6406]

Same, damn her narration is so immersive!!

[@cxffaine]

Incredible read, I love how you go from sounding so calm and collective to shaky and insane. Very well done.

[@OLIVERWG0909]

" Please read: 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (I know it's a bit long, but it's fairly easy and quickly read)." -My english teacher 2k20 xd

[@azzure1268]

now write a 10 page paper answering a single question that can be answered in a paragraph -every English teacher

[@jeremyjackson7326]

@@azzure1268 really 😂😂😂. What is the use of the color yellow Spot on!

[@dankerine]

@@jeremyjackson7326 “it has a symbolic meaning about her oppression by the patriarchy” my professor(not joking)

[@katek6784]

Newly diagnosed with ADHD, and trying audio with visual this term. Thank you for reading!

[@kwamemanuh4330]

You really have a marvelous. Voice you helped me save a lot of time with this audio

[@ADastra1939]

Were going to the complex with this one🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯💯

[@colinwolf3097]

Out of all the books I’ve had to read for school, this is the best one by Miles, and your voice is just so perfect, so thank you

[@issaaabbeeelaaa]

this is my favorite piece of literature, and your voice fits it so well! your voice is so beautiful and melodious :3

[@1966orange]

Thank you Dancing Dove! I really enjoyed this audio of The Yellow Wallpaper! You read it brilliantly and with lovely soft and gentle expression! well done! 🌷❤🌷

[@dove4070]

Thank you for such a lovely reaction! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@Lemon-no3rn]

I have to write an essay and this is the easiest way to do it

[@netw52]

This scared the beejezus outta me the first time I heard it.

[@chaiimaekaa9655]

Your reading is indeed splendid, thank you for your efforts 😊

[@maryambatool7127]

so wonderfully narrated, it added to my reading experience. Amazing!

[@carlapsalms2334]

I love the symbolism. "You can't put me back!".. I am woman, hear me roar.

[@baval5]

Monika sent me here, and I'm glad she did. Good story, and wonderfully read

[@dove4070]

Thank you :)

[@SUPERIDOLdesho]

do you mean monika from dokidoki lol

[@baval5]

@@SUPERIDOLdesho lol yep

[@theythemexplains5087]

Wait when does she mention that in the game? Or make reference? I’m listening to this for school and love DDLC and never made that connection when I played the game years ago

[@baval5]

@@theythemexplains5087 She mentions it in the mod Monika After Story which extends act 3 to a permanent state with more interactions.

[@phoebesoeteman]

The most perfect narrator EVER for this story!!

[@davidreinhart4780]

I love your voice!!!! makes the story so engaging and your accent is absolutely adorable and fitting

[@vehicularmanslaughter1296]

I do wonder if her "tying up" the lady in the wallpaper, was her suicide or attempted suicide, on a second listen, i can hear how much there is actual depression and psychosis slowly happening, and this time i understand the line "i escaped and you cant put me back in the wallpaper" she is stuck in the room that she thinks is for children, treated like a child, and the rest cure makes her go so crazy she 'escapes' by killing herself. Because of post partum depression too

[@EPWillard]

I read this a couple years back when i was in highschool and it didn't make a huge impact and coming back and listening to it post-depression her description of her situation hits pretty hard

[@trixl8297]

one of the few stories I actually enjoyed listening to, great job

[@julieelfin9384]

Beautifully read!

[@tinyshepherdess7710]

What a progressive, ahead-of-its-time story. Has the same social commentary type of jolt as Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery".

[@michaelmur7691]

As an avid booklet I've probably read hundreds of books and short stories but I can't advertise this as a 13 yr old and have carried it in my heart for over 24 years. Unreliable narrators have become my favorite literary devices to enjoy. Another favorite is Endless Night by Agatha Christie.

[@kyliemichellemusic]

i love your voice. it’s so soothing :)

[@AmBruhRose]

We read this in my English class 7 years ago at this point and I still think about it all the time. Truly and amazing story that is timeless. With elements that apply, rather unfortunately, to many aspects of the modern world.

[@gatheringleaves]

You have an absolutely gorgeous voice, OMG

[@anouaressanoussi]

I like listening to stories while reading it at the same time, thank you for this! However, I must note you've skipped a sentence at 8:44.

[@Sky_Lin3_39]

Me when I hear “wallpaper”: Me when I hear “yellow”: Me when I hear “yellow wallpaper”: 🔪👁👄👁🔫 oh no (the backrooms)

[@bonvivant6550]

Very well read. I read along with you. Quite a beautiful voice you have

[@chanabanannaanimations6884]

I'm not listening to this for school but I heard Matpat mention it and I got interested and I'm glad I found out about this story its so interesting and well written

[@LittleFoxBooks]

That’s how I found this

[@evelynbell2459]

you literally have the most perfect voice for this

[@dove4070]

:)

[@jntvrs2054]

Whos here because of your teacher said to read the story about the yellow wallpaper?? HAHAHAHA

[@misspinkpunkykat]

I think this was the inspiration for a Twilight zone episode when they rebooted it in the '80s.

[@matthewaven3802]

Which episode? I’d be interested in seeing it.

[@misspinkpunkykat]

@@matthewaven3802 "Something in the Walls"

[@chivalryisdead6440]

Fascinating story. Why are there so many teenagers in the comment section. It serves little useful purpose for young people to read this type of stuff.

[@samanthasherman6750]

Ok but this is actually such a good reading of it

[@ryanradgowski2910]

Read this in 2017/2018 for highschool English class and still go back to reread/listen every year one of my favorites

[@andriabaunee]

great reading - you did skip a line after "So I try" "I think sometimes that if I were only well enough to write a little it would relieve the press of ideas and rest me."

[@dove4070]

Oops! Thank you Andria.

[@susansheehan9726]

A beautiful reading. Perfect tone. Thank you.

[@SharpShooter-wt2fi]

I must say I was not expecting that ending, bravo

[@aishiteiru]

Had to "read" this for English class but it was actually quite enjoyable, love your voice! ❤

[@sherylontamarcello8315]

This was the only audiobook I was able to follow, enjoy and understand... still kinda confused on the story itself tho...

[@Orchid.flower]

People who came here for English hw 👇

[@diamondsdelrey]

i have not stopped thinking about her since i read this years ago…she is JUST like me

[@Calderoh]

I remember this in my high school class way back then. Never finished it. Glad i did now

[@leeknow4197]

I have to read this for my AP lit class.

[@gavinphillips338]

Same

[@moisesalvarez9318]

Same

[@calystakoppenhaver]

same

[@dhillon0073]

Same

[@darrya8637]

Me rn:

[@jennaraeblakeslee5154]

You sound so lovely. Thanks.

[@dove4070]

Thank you Jenna!

[@TheLittleSpoonz]

This woman hates this wallpaper so much 😭

[@abby4027]

I read this in my early college days. The Clancy case has brought me back.

[@seri8973]

The….. Backrooms?

[@CodeeXD]

We have the backrooms at home *The backrooms at home*

[@livy9169]

I love your voice so much!! 10/10

[@dove4070]

Thank you Olivia!

[@Soulll452]

Thank you very much your voice is amazing and fit really well with story.

[@bananamanchester4156]

I think what really strikes me about this story is that John truly loves our protagonist and believes he is doing the right thing (when he carries her to bed and reads to her, it's a genuinely sweet gesture) but he's arrogant and assumes he knows better than her. He drives her insane with his love. When you consoder that the author of this story went through a similar ordeal (although fortunately she didn't entirely lose her mind) it makes you wonder how many women had to suffer in the same way due to their supposed "hysteria". And then you consider that their husbands might not have been as well-meaning and loving as John...

[@ShadyLife101]

I am one of those AP Literature teachers who assigned this for their class. You’re welcome.

[@HappyCGM]

you are an excellent narrator! I'm definitely subscribing :)

[@dove4070]

Thank you! Welcome :)

[@ericbazinga]

Nice to see they got Wolfychu to narrate this

[@jk_945]

Narration is giving Luna Lovegood

[@OcelotQ8]

listen to this while playing games with Sound set to 0 its amazing now nothing can stop me from playing while doing my homework for the exam LOL

[@mads3081]

If you look at the wallpaper at 22 minutes in and slightly shake your phone it makes the figure in the wallpaper move.

[@marianaconsoli6406]

No thank you!!! LOL

[@Biblical-christian]

God bless you dear! Thanks for your Beautiful voice.

[@dazed_slowpoke104]

Im here cause i saw it on a Instagram video lmao

[@noneya5824]

So weird I was made to read this in second grade and I am reading here some are reading this for college? What is going on with education?

[@80sbaby90skid_]

Amazing voice and you made it so good

[@ericep7117]

This is a story about play titled The King In Yellow, whereby anyone who reads the play goes mad. We find the main character tuning in to the madness of Hastur from Non-Euclidean truths, and this worries her husband. Yet as it goes on she finds herself as the being she was seeing in the wallpaper all along, and it was the husband with his wife (Julie) who are the new emissaries of madness and devotion to the non-Euclidean geometry, he is so quick to grab the axe towards the end, and you must ask yourself, does a man with an axe then pass out at the sight of his disturbed wife having torn off some of the wallpaper? Why did they keep touching it, why were they complaining about it leaving marks, he is a Dr, is he her husband? This reminds one of The Repairer of Reputations, the first story of The King in Yellow, how odd that I just heard an add on TV now for software security you now pay to protect your reputation socially (that is to say, on social media sites), and was it AI that recommended I listen to this just after The King in Yellow, I don't know why not! I see your Marcus Aurelius video to follow this *HA!* I think to myself I always had a fondness for your characters who were able to fight off the madness, well done! You must read the King In Yellow and everything I have just written will make sense, you must

[@damanistewart1730]

reading this for my CIS literature class

[@jadynvanderweele3696]

Only way I’m passing college

[@jacobeischreech]

Is this Luna lovegood?

[@johnbulls3418]

Goated I was not tryna read this one

[@DamplayzH]

It is the place it is the feeling it is the embrace. It is all.

[@xoxoheartz]

Unintentional asmr. Your voice is very beautiful

[@The_Gallowglass]

I remember reading this in high school.

[@dove4070]

Oh very nice! Although sometimes reading books in high school destroys them as you have to tear apart and investigate every single theme and tone and character...haha. :)

[@The_Gallowglass]

Dancing Dove that's why i requested to go back to a regular class instead of honors. toooo pretentious

[@BMF_SMITTY420X]

Thats y im listen

[@chrispalasz]

Really nice reading of this iconic story. Thanks

[@dove4070]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you

[@chrispalasz]

Follow-up: My high school students listened and read a long with this audio and there was very positive feedback from them as well. After some analysis and vocab study, they plan to go through it again. Thanks for doing this

[@dove4070]

Thank you so much for telling me that! I'm so glad it was of help. Well, any suggestions for further narrations? I'll let you in on a little secret, I'm recording Wuthering Heights at the moment, but as you might imagine, at approximately 13 hours finished playing time, it's quite the undertaking!

[@chrispalasz]

I'll come back with some suggestions, but I'm really glad to hear that you're doing Wuthering Heights because I haven't read that one yet. I'm currently finishing Pride and Prejudice for the first time, and after this, I will read Jane Eyre. But after I'm keen to take down Wuthering Heights so you may be finished by that time. I'll keep watch for it and I'll let you know if I come up with something more for you to consider.

[@susansheehan9726]

@@dove4070 one of my favourites!!.

[@Nora-ks2sq]

I just finished this story for class, I am so confused…why did John faint? Did he know something the narrator didn’t? It’s so creepy.

[@karenruiz9822]

If you find out let me know. Im also so confused and don’t understand what went on with john.

[@simplistic6239]

I don't think there is too much to say other than John witnessing the main character in such a...disturbing state was too much for him to bear... Once he finally saw how far gone she went, from the torn wallpaper, possible blood and stains on her shirt, the creeping/walking, just very very disturbing and he just couldn't take it mentally I suppose

[@Dark_shadow4056]

now its 2021 English class lol

[@churry0204]

My English 4 Honors teacher on Thursday (11/12): ok guys for hw start reading "the yellow wallpaper" located in the files handouts. Me: Okay will do bye *finds this at 12am and is just binging it before the english class 4th period today (11/16) since knows they will read it as a group and have a class discussion more than likely so does this to be prepared* (I'm I the only one here from regular english 4 or honors? where my class of 2021 at? )

[@christiangonzales1372]

Right here lol

[@AlexTheMusicMan]

Lol all the comments be talking about how we hear for english class

[@maxfaircloth9275]

Moira sent me. (If you know you know)

[@gijoe9106]

Hey! My favorite just popped up COOL 💥💥💥

[@gregorytrifonov2586]

Wonderful reading!