How does "The Yellow Wallpaper" illustrate the difference between male and female characters in the short story and their attitudes towards the protagonist's condition?

In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the male characters, particularly the protagonist's husband John, exhibit a dismissive and condescending attitude towards the protagonist's mental health condition. John, who is a physician, believes that he knows what is best for his wife and insists on controlling every aspect of her life, including her daily activities, diet, and even her thoughts and feelings. He dismisses her concerns and fears as irrational and attributes them to her "nervous condition."

On the other hand, the female characters in the story, such as the protagonist herself and her sister-in-law Jennie, show more empathy and understanding towards the protagonist's condition. The protagonist's sister-in-law, Jennie, is portrayed as a caring and compassionate figure who tries to comfort and support the protagonist in her struggles. She is more attuned to the protagonist's emotional needs and is willing to listen to her concerns.

Overall, the story illustrates the stark contrast between the male and female characters in their attitudes towards the protagonist's condition. While the male characters exhibit a dismissive and controlling attitude, the female characters show more empathy and understanding towards the protagonist's struggles with her mental health. This stark difference highlights the gender dynamics and power imbalances that existed during the time period in which the story is set.

Male Characters:

- John: The narrator's husband, a physician. He dismisses her symptoms as mere "nervous depression" and insists on isolating her in the isolated room with the yellow wallpaper. He views her as inferior and in need of his medical authority.
- Dr. Mitchell: John's colleague and friend. He also dismisses the narrator's concerns, reinforcing John's patriarchal stance.
- Male Guests: They objectify the narrator, viewing her as an object of pity or curiosity, reinforcing the idea of female fragility and vulnerability.

Female Protagonist:

- The Narrator: An unnamed woman who is suffering from postpartum depression and is isolated in a room with yellow wallpaper. She is portrayed as trapped, silenced, and desperate.
- The Woman in the Wallpaper: A spectral figure that emerges from the wallpaper pattern. She represents the narrator's subconscious, her repressed desires, and the oppressive environment.

Attitudes Towards the Protagonist's Condition:

Male Characters:
- Dismissive and invalidating: They dismiss her symptoms as trivial, downplaying the seriousness of her mental health struggles.
- Controlling and authoritative: They dictate her treatment, silencing her voice and reinforcing their patriarchal dominance.
- Objectifying and patronizing: They view her as weak, fragile, and in need of constant surveillance.

Female Protagonist:
- Isolated and powerless: She is confined to the room, stripped of her agency, and denied access to meaningful support.
- Trapped and desperate: She feels suffocated by her surroundings and her husband's insistence on controlling her.
- Empowered and rebellious: Through her interactions with the woman in the wallpaper, she finds a way to express her repressed desires and challenge the oppressive forces around her.

By contrasting the perspectives and attitudes of the male and female characters, "The Yellow Wallpaper" exposes the gender bias and societal norms that contribute to the silencing and oppression of women's mental health experiences.