Activity Overview
While the narrator arrives at the summer house already suffering from symptoms of mental illness, her descent into madness is traced in her diary. Use the activity for Character Evolution with your students to help them keep track of how the narrator evolves throughout the course of the story.
Exposition
Narrator's Traits: A woman; recently gave birth; married to a physician; suffering from “temporary nervous depression”
Explanation:The narrator’s husband has rented the colonial mansion as a summer house so that his wife can rest, get exercise, and not work until her condition improves. The narrator thinks sometimes that less isolation would help her feel better, but her husband won’t hear of it. She writes her feelings in secret.
Conflict/Rising Action
Narrator's Traits: Unreasonably angry; lacking control of emotions; lacks strength; feels like a burden
Explanation: The narrator feels like a burden because her husband John believes that there is no reason for why she should feel so ill or nervous. She cannot bear to be around her new baby, and is becoming increasingly perturbed by the yellow wallpaper in their bedroom.
Climax
Narrator's Traits: Feigns sleep; feels afraid of John; becoming increasingly paranoid
Explanation: The narrator studies the yellow wallpaper daily, and is convinced that there is a woman living behind it. John is gone a lot, but when he is home, he seems to be studying both her and the wallpaper, which is aggravating and frightening to the narrator. She sees Jennie staring at the paper, too, and she is determined to not let anyone but herself figure out the secrets of the pattern.
Falling Action
Narrator's Traits: Excited; eating better; shows improvement; sleeps during the day; stays up at night
Explanation: The narrator is fascinated by the developments in the wallpaper, and it gives her something to look forward to each day. She has renewed energy as she believes she is coming closer to discovering the secrets of the wallpaper, and the freeing of the woman behind it.
Resolution
Narrator's Traits: Energized; manic; angry; victorious
Explanation: The narrator’s descent into madness is complete as she tears off the wallpaper, and she believes that she is now the woman whom she has freed from behind it. She creeps around the room and right over her husband’s body, who has fainted, and she feels delighted at being able to move about the room in the yellow colors.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows the evolution of the narrator throughout the course of “The Yellow Wallpaper”.
- Use the Character Evolution Template to get started.
- Break the story down into Exposition, Conflict/Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. What traits does the narrator have?
- Illustrate one or more of the traits for each stage of the story.
- Identify major events in each part of the story that affected the narrator.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character Evolution Traits and Analysis | The character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point clearly shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character. The analysis reveals insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Most of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, although some of the analyses might be unclear or inaccurate. The analysis reveals understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Some of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point attempts to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, but some of the analyses may be inaccurate, unclear, or minimal. There is an attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Most of the character traits and evolution are identified incorrectly, are missing, or are too limited to score. There is minimal or no analysis to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, and there may be no attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the work of literature. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
Activity Overview
While the narrator arrives at the summer house already suffering from symptoms of mental illness, her descent into madness is traced in her diary. Use the activity for Character Evolution with your students to help them keep track of how the narrator evolves throughout the course of the story.
Exposition
Narrator's Traits: A woman; recently gave birth; married to a physician; suffering from “temporary nervous depression”
Explanation:The narrator’s husband has rented the colonial mansion as a summer house so that his wife can rest, get exercise, and not work until her condition improves. The narrator thinks sometimes that less isolation would help her feel better, but her husband won’t hear of it. She writes her feelings in secret.
Conflict/Rising Action
Narrator's Traits: Unreasonably angry; lacking control of emotions; lacks strength; feels like a burden
Explanation: The narrator feels like a burden because her husband John believes that there is no reason for why she should feel so ill or nervous. She cannot bear to be around her new baby, and is becoming increasingly perturbed by the yellow wallpaper in their bedroom.
Climax
Narrator's Traits: Feigns sleep; feels afraid of John; becoming increasingly paranoid
Explanation: The narrator studies the yellow wallpaper daily, and is convinced that there is a woman living behind it. John is gone a lot, but when he is home, he seems to be studying both her and the wallpaper, which is aggravating and frightening to the narrator. She sees Jennie staring at the paper, too, and she is determined to not let anyone but herself figure out the secrets of the pattern.
Falling Action
Narrator's Traits: Excited; eating better; shows improvement; sleeps during the day; stays up at night
Explanation: The narrator is fascinated by the developments in the wallpaper, and it gives her something to look forward to each day. She has renewed energy as she believes she is coming closer to discovering the secrets of the wallpaper, and the freeing of the woman behind it.
Resolution
Narrator's Traits: Energized; manic; angry; victorious
Explanation: The narrator’s descent into madness is complete as she tears off the wallpaper, and she believes that she is now the woman whom she has freed from behind it. She creeps around the room and right over her husband’s body, who has fainted, and she feels delighted at being able to move about the room in the yellow colors.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows the evolution of the narrator throughout the course of “The Yellow Wallpaper”.
- Use the Character Evolution Template to get started.
- Break the story down into Exposition, Conflict/Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. What traits does the narrator have?
- Illustrate one or more of the traits for each stage of the story.
- Identify major events in each part of the story that affected the narrator.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character Evolution Traits and Analysis | The character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point clearly shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character. The analysis reveals insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Most of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, although some of the analyses might be unclear or inaccurate. The analysis reveals understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Some of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point attempts to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, but some of the analyses may be inaccurate, unclear, or minimal. There is an attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Most of the character traits and evolution are identified incorrectly, are missing, or are too limited to score. There is minimal or no analysis to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, and there may be no attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the work of literature. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
How Tos about The Yellow Wallpaper Character Evolution
Engage students with a creative writing reflection on the narrator's journey
Encourage students to deepen their understanding by writing a first-person journal entry from the narrator's perspective at a key moment in the story. This helps students empathize with her evolution and connect emotionally to the text.
Model how to choose a pivotal scene for a journal entry
Guide students to pick a moment where the narrator's thoughts or feelings dramatically change, such as when she first notices the wallpaper pattern. This approach focuses reflection and makes analysis more meaningful.
Guide students to use evidence from the text
Ask students to include at least one direct quote or paraphrase from the story in their journal entry. This builds close reading skills and supports thoughtful interpretation.
Encourage students to explore the narrator’s emotions
Remind students to describe the narrator’s emotions honestly and vividly. This practice helps them develop empathy and strengthens their descriptive writing abilities.
Facilitate peer sharing and discussion
Invite students to read their journal entries aloud in small groups. Sharing perspectives fosters discussion, allowing students to see how others interpret the narrator’s evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Yellow Wallpaper Character Evolution
What is character evolution in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'?
Character evolution in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' refers to the narrator's gradual transformation as her mental state deteriorates, moving from mild depression to complete madness as described through her diary entries.
How does the narrator change throughout 'The Yellow Wallpaper'?
The narrator evolves from a woman suffering mild nervous depression to someone experiencing paranoia, obsession, and finally, a complete psychological break, symbolized by her identification with the woman she believes is trapped in the wallpaper.
What stages of character development can students identify in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'?
Students can identify five key stages: Exposition (introduction of her condition), Conflict/Rising Action (growing distress), Climax (paranoia peaks), Falling Action (obsession intensifies), and Resolution (complete breakdown and perceived liberation).
How can I teach 'The Yellow Wallpaper' character evolution to high school students?
Use a character evolution storyboard or template to have students track the narrator's changing traits and major events. Encourage illustration and discussion of how each story phase affects her mental state.
What are some important traits of the narrator at each stage of 'The Yellow Wallpaper'?
Key traits include isolation and depression (Exposition), anger and anxiety (Rising Action), paranoia (Climax), obsession and excitement (Falling Action), and mania and liberation (Resolution).
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