...If I had less opposition and more society and stimulus- but John says that the very worst thing I can do is to think about my condition, and I confess it always makes me feel bad" (404). She desires such contact and wants to achieve personal wellness. However, John acts as a steady influence, controlling and limiting the thoughts and feelings of his wife. Margaret Delashmit and Charles Long, in their article Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper, refer to John in similar light. "Although he presents himself as a caring and loving husband, he is overbearing and unknowingly cruel to the point of deserving censure" (32). Gilman presents John as the overseer, putting forth guidelines that deprive his wife of happiness.
             The narrator makes excuses that not only contradict her own feelings, but comply with the wishes of her husband as well. Gilman uses such excuses to emphasize the character's insecurities and lack of self-confidence. The narrator uses the country home to excuse her own ideas in light of her husband. "So I will let it alone and talk about the house. The most beautiful place!" (404). In disagreeing with the manner in which John treats her, the narrator turns to her mental disorder as a reason for her sensitivity. "I get unreasonably angry with John sometimes. I think it is due to this nervous condition" (404). She places the blame on herself and her prescribed medicine for suppressing what she feels would bring her to proper health. "...So I take pains to control myself- before
             him, at least, and that makes me very tired" (404). The narrator utilizes such treatment as an excuse to obey John and his professional opinion. In addition, she turns to love to excuse for John disregarding her emotions. "It is so hard to talk with John about my case, because he is so wise, and because he loves me so" (410). As she is left alone for a majority of each day...