Comparative Writing

 Comparative Writing on Korean Film, “Kim Ji young born 1982”, and “Yellow wallpaper”, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

Introduction

According to the social norms of olden time period, women are expected to fulfill their duties as wives and mothers and be content in their existence. Women of 19th century were doomed to spend their lives solely in the domestic sphere. And then women who dared to take opportunities in the society as equal as men were viewed as something akin to prostitutes, the lowest level of society.

The Short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the “Yellow wallpaper”, revolves around feminism and Imprisonment in domestic sphere in 19th century. Similarly, a Korean film titled, “Kim Ji Yong born 1982”, depicts about anti-feminism existing in current scenario in Korean society and the victim of domestic sphere.

Summary

In the story, the “yellow wallpaper”, the narrator of the story is obsessed with a wallpaper in her room in new mansion which her husband John chooses for her despite her distaste in it. The protagonist is not allowed to leave her room after giving birth to a son and her domineering husband controls her daily schedule and does not allow her to write in her diary or meet with friends as he claims her to be little depressed. Then afterwards her little depression becomes severe postpartum depression that she starts to see women trapped inside the yellow wallpaper in her room. Just as the woman in the wallpaper is trapped behind a symbol of the feminine domestic sphere, the narrator is trapped within the prison-like room. The prisonlike narrator’s room symbolizes as a constant reminder of her duty to clean the house and take care of the children. Likewise, “Kim Ji yong, Born 1982”, depicts a woman suffering from postnatal depression as a result of leaving her career to meet the social expectation. Kim JI yong, the main character depicts a life of an ordinary Korean girl, differentiated and discriminated by her own father over her brothers and is a victim of stereotypical notion among her in laws. She is doomed into domestic sphere and forced into giving up her successful career to take care of her baby. She is subjected to verbal and mental abuse by her mother in law who is an anti-feminist. Her mother in law slams her when she expresses about joining her career after maternity leave. And then she is also subjected to discrimination from her father, who scolds her for being eve teased and stalked by a stranger in high school. She never receives sympathy from her father instead her father scolds her for wearing short skirt and taking classes in distant school. Despite discrimination, both the protagonist in the story and film is unheard and is submissive in submitting to the need of society without thinking about their own happiness. As a result, the society also adds pressure and neglects their need to be cared for.

The above mentioned story and the film conveys about preexisting stereotypical notion against women in society subjected to discrimination by society and negligence by their own family. The film and the story is a reminder to many other Kim Ji young about severance of scarifying ones career and for being submissive to social needs. Had the protagonist mustered courage to speak up for their rights, a solution or an alternative would have been unraveled.

Commentary

Apart from the gripping narrative of the story, both the film and story have used abundant literary technique to depict the character trait and its series of event. In yellow wall paper, we find that the main character have moved in new apartment with her husband and slowly the events unravels series of events pointing out to audience about her entrapment in domestic sphere. She starts to hear and see things beyond someone else’s imagination and she becomes insane. Whereas, in Kim Ji young born 1982, Kim Ji young juggles between taking care of her toddler daughter and submitting to her husbands need. While taking care of others, she has sacrificed herself and haven’t been living for herself. Her free and happy career life is revealed through flashback technique when she sees a young girl rushing to her office. Both The protagonist suffers from internal conflict and secretly wishes to become free from social stigma. This film and short story might be feministic in nature but it conveys a very important and notable messages which everyone should read and watch it.

Recommendation

I would recommend this film and a short story to adult above aged 18 as these book and story unravels complicated plot and theme which is comprehensive. Although this film and short story might be feministic oriented, it imparts content which a both men and women must watch to understand for betterment of whole. This film and short story will make someone to look within ourselves and appreciate oneself for living a life through thick and thin. We live in a society which is deeply rooted with culture of living for one’s family exists. Meanwhile, we often forget to chase one’s dream and watch dreams wilt in time. We are scared to live for ourselves in fear of prejudice social stigma and forgets to appreciate oneself. Thus, this film and short story reminds one self to speak up your mind instead of letting third party suppress your dream and happiness as this life is brief and one need to live for ourselves.

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