What makes learning fun?

I enjoy learning when I feel I am excelling at something. When I get answers right and am aware of my improving knowledge I feel accomplished. This sense of accomplishment creates a positive atmosphere and environment where growth is encouraged. Learning is fun through engagement, confidence and attention.

as for symbolic actions, the narrator's tearing down the wallpaper in an attempt to find the "woman" in the wallpaper represents her struggle to retain or regain her sanity.   the wallpaper has been part of her confinement and by her tearing it down, she is freeing herself from that confinement.