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Judy Brady's Essay 'I Want A Wife'

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Many would agree that being a mother is a very hard job, but what about being a wife, or simultaneously being a mother and wife. First published in 1971, the work of Judy Brady discusses the status and work of wives then, and coincidentally, now in the 21st century. Not altogether incidentally, a wife and mother, Judy Brady subtly hints that wives are not appreciated for what they do for their families in her short essay “I Want A Wife”. Brady suggests, through the use of irony, that what is wanted and expected of wives is excessive and unorthodox. While using the words “I want a wife”, repeatedly, Brady satirizes the presumption that wives are desired for everything but being an actual wife, all while assuming an impassive tone in order …show more content…
Current husbands, soon-to-be husbands, as well want-to-be husbands have tendencies to carry the “traditional” role of a husband to their marriage, and in doing so they also expect their wives to bring that role of a “traditional” wife to the marriage. Considering the fact that Brady may be a victim of “traditional roles” based off of her statement “…I was/ ironing one evening…” you would not expect her to want her wife to undergo such responsibilities (Brady 280). Brady’s apparent use of irony here suggests that what is expected of wives is excessive and unorthodox. Speaking in terms of marriage, wanting a wife to take care of her physical needs is not excessive because they have become ‘one’. On the other hand, to “…want a wife/ who will have the house clean, will prepare a special meal, serve it to me and my friends, and not inter-/rupt when I talk about things that interest me and my/ friends” (Brady 281), in addition to “My wife must arrange to lose time/ at work and not lose the job” is excessive, inconsiderate, and again, insensitive (Brady 280). When married, both parties succumb to monogamy, but Brady has different plans in mind for her and her wife. Brady conveys her selfish, self-absorbed, and unorthodox desire by declaring “I/ want a wife who will remain sexually faithful to me so/ that I do not have to clutter up my intellectual life with/ jelousies. And I want a wife who understands that that my/ sexual needs may entail more than strict adherence to monogamy. I must, after all, be able to relate to people/ as fully as possible” to criticize husbands’ excuses for cheating on their wives

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