From the moment you read the first paragraph to the end of the last sentence, Charlotte Gilman captures the reader's attention as her character documents her journey into madness in The yellow background. As her character passes a seemingly indefinite period of time, it becomes clear that her husband's treatment is affecting her. Gilman is able to convey the changing mental state of the narrator through language and syntax. Gilman manipulates the reader's perspective throughout his story by immediately introducing us to his world. Language plays an important role as a normal woman evaluates her husband's profession and her own supposed illness. The narrator comes across an intelligent house, if not a little paranoid, concerned with a slight hysterical tendency, but rather a strange house without a tenant (Gilman 691). His suspicion soon manifests itself; appearing initially as a misdirection meant to foreshadow a possible ghost story. He goes on to describe the most beautiful place with a delightful garden (Gilman 692). Her portrayal is that of a colorful housewife reader who imagines a stable woman in a new environment. Clearly the narrator's extensive vocabulary is an indication of her correct mindset as well as her ability to examine a condition with which she does not agree. A description of the wall is necessary to provide a basis for comparison with the rest of the story. Since we only get the narrator's point of view, the descriptions of the wall become more important as a way to judge the deterioration of his mental state. When he is first mentioned, he sees the wall as a sprawling, gaudy model that commits every artistic sin, (Gilman 693), once again underscoring his current intellectual capacity. Furthermore, the central part of the paper conveys complex thoughts. In contrast, syntax provides a new perspective on the narrator's behavior as the sentence structure draws attention to his erratic behavior. By his last entry, the narrator's sentences have become short and simple. Paragraphs 227 to 238 contain few adjectives resulting in limited descriptions, yet his short sentences emphasize his actions by providing plenty of imagery. The syntax quickly drags the reader to the end as the narrator puts an end to his madness. Charlotte Gilman's manipulation of language and syntax in her prose is crucial to the overall effect of the story. What the reader is presented with is a story that uses language and syntax to portray a woman's changing mental state. The reader experiences the narrator's deteriorating mental state as she succumbs to her condition and ultimately loses her sanity..