What did she do in the room? Why, nothing at all.

To Room Nineteen : Collected Stories Volume One (Paperback)
Doris Lessing / Flamingo / 2002년 8월

I read Doris Lessing's short story "To Room Nineteen." This work was published in 1983, and I wanted to read it in connection with Charlotte Perkins Gilman's short story "The Yellow Wallpaper," which was published about 100 years earlier in 1892.
Both stories deal with themes of oppression, confinement, societal expectations of women, and the psychological harm they can cause. The protagonist of "To Room Nineteen," Susan, feels suffocated by the roles she is expected to fulfill as a wife and mother, experiencing psychological distress as a result. This story depicts the societal expectations surrounding marriage and motherhood, but also portrays the emptiness and anxiety that women cannot shake off.
Although there is a slight time gap of less than 100 years between "The Yellow Wallpaper" and this work, they both illuminate the limits of autonomy and psychological conflicts experienced by women. I was curious if Susan's life and treatment in Doris Lessing's novel had improved slightly compared to a century ago. Despite social progress and advancements in women's rights since the late 19th century, I couldn't help but wonder if many women still haven't broken free from the struggles and constraints of a century ago.