The excerpt from "Why I Wrote The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman reflects the social attitude of her era, particularly the belief that women were not supposed to exert themselves much physically. This is evident in the advice given to the narrator to lead a domestic life, limit intellectual activities to two hours a day, and avoid any creative pursuits like painting.
1. The recommendation to have a domestic life implies that women were expected to focus on household duties and family responsibilities rather than engage in strenuous physical activities outside the home.
2. Limiting intellectual life to two hours a day suggests a societal belief that women were not capable of or should not be engaging in intense mental work or pursuits that could strain their minds.
3. The instruction to refrain from using a brush or pencil indicates a restriction on creative expression, reinforcing the idea that women were not encouraged to pursue artistic endeavors or activities that might challenge traditional gender roles.
Overall, the excerpt reflects the prevailing social attitude of Gilman's era, which restricted women's physical, intellectual, and creative freedoms, emphasizing the importance of conforming to traditional gender norms and roles within the domestic sphere.
