The Yellow Wallpaper (1899)

Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Translated back to English from Russian translation (translated to Russian by Sergei Trofimov)

From Chapter 4

Original text

Of course I never mention it to them any more–I am too wise,–but I keep watch of it all the same.
There are things in that paper that nobody knows but me, or ever will.
Behind that outside pattern the dim shapes get clearer every day.
It is always the same shape, only very numerous.
And it is like a woman stooping down and creeping about behind that pattern. I don’t like it a bit. I wonder–I begin to think–I wish John would take me away from here!

Re translated text

I will, of course, not say anything. I am too wise and I continue my observations. I found such things on this wallpaper that no one else besides me will know – even if they want to! Every day, vague forms appear behind the external painting.  They are always the same shapes but there are more and more of them. They remind a woman who fell on her stomach and creeps fast on the pattern. I don’t like her. I wonder… I begin to think… I want John to take me away from here!