An Obstacle
AN OBSTACLE by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: A young woman, isolated and confined to a room, is subjected to various forms of oppression and control by her husband, who is determined to "cure" her of what he perceives as her mental illness. The story explores themes of patriarchy, oppression, and the limits placed on women's autonomy and agency in society.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1890 · Genre: Feminist Literature, Short Stories, Historical Fiction · 424 words
First lines
I was climbing up a mountain-path With many things to do, Important business of my own, And other people's too, When I ran against a Prejudice That quite cut off the view.
My work was such as could not wait, My path quite clearly showed, My strength and time were limited, I carried quite a load; And there that hulking Prejudice Sat all across the road.
What this Textopian page supports
An Obstacle is listed on Textopian as a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Feminist Literature, Short Stories, Historical Fiction, Social Criticism, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 424 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Obstacle by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering An Obstacle?
- How does this short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Feminist Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Hardly A Pleasure by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Out Of The Gate by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The Pastellette by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The Crux by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Limits by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Birth by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Genres
- Feminist Literature — Charlotte Perkins Gilman is well-known for her feminist writings and themes. This work reflects on women's social roles and challenges them.
- Short Stories — Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote extensively in short form, utilizing the format to fully explore her themes.
- Historical Fiction — The book was written in the late 19th to early 20th century, reflecting the historical period's social norms and challenges.
- Social Criticism — Like much of Gilman’s work, it critiques the societal norms and presets assumptions from her contemporary time.
Tags
feminism · gender roles · society · oppression · identity · self-discovery · mental health · isolation · personal struggle · empowerment · social critique · women's rights