Question

Read the excerpt from "The Yellow Wallpaper."

At first he meant to repaper the room, but afterwards he said that I was letting it get the better of me, and that nothing was worse for a nervous patient than to give way to such fancies.

Which gothic element in this excerpt reflects a social attitude of Gilman’s time?
The narrator feels an inevitable sense of doom.
The qualities of the wallpaper create a sense of mystery.
John appears to be a supernatural being.
John views his wife’s concerns as unimportant and silly. 2Read the paragraph from "Wilson's War Message to Congress."

On the 3rd of February last I officially laid before you the extraordinary announcement of the Imperial German Government that on and after the 1st day of February it was its purpose to put aside all restraints of law or of humanity and use its submarines to sink every vessel that sought to approach either the ports of Great Britain and Ireland or the western coasts of Europe or any of the ports controlled by the enemies of Germany within the Mediterranean.

By using the full title of the German government, Wilson most likely hopes to
impart a negative connotation of the German government to support his argument for war.
give clear and concise information, without leaving out important facts, as he addresses Congress.
make himself sound official and trustworthy as he is addressing Congress.
evoke fear in the members of Congress so they will declare war on Germany.

Answer 1

1) John views his wife’s concerns as unimportant and silly.
- Explanation: This reflects the period’s patriarchal medical and social attitude that dismissed women’s feelings and labeled them as “nervous” or hysterical rather than legitimate.

2) impart a negative connotation of the German government to support his argument for war.
- Explanation: Using the formal title “Imperial German Government” emphasizes state responsibility and frames Germany as a hostile, culpable power, strengthening Wilson’s case for action.