This week I really enjoyed rewatching “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. It is by far one of my favorite movies because of its expertly crafted social commentary on the way we treat those who fit outside of social norms. I am currently considering adding some elements that “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” highlights into my Annotated Digital Edition. Surprisingly, I found a lot of similarities between “The Yellow Wallpaper” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” from the symbolism to oppressive dominating figures that rule over the vulnerable. I would love to talk about some of those connections in my Annotated Digital Edition of that wouldn’t be too complicated.
Taylor's Space
Future Teacher
Hi Taylor! I am so glad you enjoyed the film and are seeing those connections to Gilman! That is fabulous and exactly what I always hope will happen. I have been mulling over your thought about folding that in to your project. I am thinking that it might be tricky to pull off, for a variety of reasons. First, of course, the film (and novel on which it’s based) were produced nearly 100 years after Gilman’s story; they also, for all of their deep value as social critique, are fundamentally misogynistic. I worry that using them to enhance a reading of “The Yellow Wall-Paper” would be really hard to do without putting in a lot of energy to contend with these issues. That said, what I think I hear is that you are noticing some important intersections around how institutional spaces (such as the home/domestic ideology, and institution of marriage) objectify and dehumanize and perhaps inculcate the madness they are supposed to keep at bay or even to cure. Do you want to chat about that? I think you could easily incorporate THAT idea without having to talk about Cuckoo’s Nest in particular. Let me know!