A Translation and Critical Analysis of “The Yellow Wallpaper”

Abstract

This dissertation comprises an Arabic adaptation and an analysis of the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper”. The story portrays the descent into madness of an unnamed woman confined by her doctor-husband in an attic nursery as part of a “rest cure” for a “nervous disease”, which later appears to be postpartum depression. The story takes place in the nineteenth century, a period where women’s roles and careers were largely defined by their social, cultural, and regional backgrounds in the United States. Considering the difference between this modern period and the 19th century period, the difference between the Arab and Western cultures, as well as the different issues women are encountering compared to that period, this story is adapted to fit the target audience which is Arab women. This adaptation focuses on incorporating the evil eye concept which is exploited in Arab countered to downplay women’s mental issues. It also replaces the rest cure treatment with traditional treatments to treat symptoms of the evil eye. The critical analysis is structured into two chapters. The first chapter provides background context and information about the source text, including its historical and cultural significance. The second chapter focuses on the analysis of the adaptation, beginning with a discussion of the differences between Arab and Western feminism, which are crucial to consider in the adaptation process. This chapter then examines the challenges of adapting “The Yellow Wallpaper” through a feminist lens, particularly in transforming key elements—such as characters, names, themes, and symbols—into ones that resonate with Arab audiences and align with their cultural and social realities.