Attempts to Communicate on Yellow Background Human nature is complex. Its requirements to stay healthy supersede the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing. It is human to want attention, companionship, to communicate sincere feelings and to be understood. To gain self-esteem and fight loneliness, we naturally try to satisfy these desires. Charlotte Perkins Gilman vividly illustrates these human aspirations in The Yellow Wallpaper. He later paints a horrible picture of someone who fails in his quest. These elements of this story make it, for any reader who has experienced these needs, an intensely personal experience. The heroine of this story knows that she is unwell, and the fact that medical authorities contradict her self-diagnosis frustrates her. . She admits that her husband should know more about her condition than she does. This undermines self-confidence and the ability to evaluate oneself. Is there anything to do?" Another acceptable title for this story might be "John Says." Many of his feelings and much of his behavior are reactions to what John says. His attempts to relieve his anxiety generally meet opposition from husband. Offers suggestions for remedying his condition: "- But John says the worst thing I can do is to think about my condition, and I confess it always makes me feel bad." : "... but he said... halfway down the paper... be more careful! He didn't seem innocent. But I know he was studying that pattern, and I'm determined that no one finds out except me!" And she's ready to protect her world even if that requires resorting to violence: "But I'm here, and no one touch this paper except me, - I don't live!" The yellow background is touching. The heroine has a desperate need for attention, a need that is never adequately satisfied. Although the dramatization of her development may appear extreme, the fact that probably had a pre-existing condition of mental instability allows the outcome to be acceptable. While the average reader may not be able to relate to the heroine's disappearance, most can understand the frustration and anxiety that accompanies the restrictions, the feeling of not being understood, insecurities and loneliness..