American playwright and active feminist Clare Boothe Luce once declared, "Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed" ("Clare Boothe Luce Biography" np). Societies controlled primarily by the male gender have been the vast majority since the origin of the first civilization. Throughout history, many women have lived feeling superior to men only in the domestic sphere. This domestic lifestyle has generated numerous false judgments and stereotypes about the female gender as a whole. However, some chose to venture beyond what society deemed appropriate. These women were often just looking for an opportunity where their voices could be heard. As Luce said, she and a large number of other people have found themselves fighting an extraordinarily tough battle over gender inequality. Luce noticed that when a man articulated his thoughts, others listened. The continued demand that women simply be listened to is still often denied today. A multitude of women instead turned to writing books and stories to communicate the problems they faced. With symbolism, metaphors, and other aspects of figurative language, authors like Charlotte Perkins Gilman found themselves making a point without directly expressing their intentions. In The Yellow Wallpaper, the narrator represents a woman's ability to express her beliefs and the fact that ignoring this right only hinders the oppressive, male-dominated society. Charlotte Perkins Gilman, in The Yellow Wallpaper, tells the story of a woman who documents the difficulties she encounters. has to endure living with a condition known as nervous depression. The story begins as the narrator marvels at the grand nature of the house where she and her husband will reside for the summer. Its... middle of paper... is drastic compared to the nineteenth century, but we are still not far from perfect equality. I honestly feel that we will take one step closer to a solution if more people read Gilman's story and understand the message it clearly portrays. Every individual's voice matters regardless of gender, race, or religion, and with The Yellow Wallpaper readers can easily see what happens when this crucial fact is ignored. Works Cited "Biography of Clare Boothe Luce." Henry Luce Foundation. Np, nd Web. December 13, 2010. Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. "The yellow wallpaper." Staten Island University Library. Np, nd Web. December 13, 2010. .Weiten, Wayne. “Stereotypical Vulnerability as an Explanation.” Psychology themes and variations. 6th ed. 2004. Print.