Why I Want A Wife: Judy Brady | Essay | English Notes

Why I Want A Wife: Judy Brady | Essay | English Notes

Why I want a wife

"Why I Want a Wife" is an essay by Judy Syfers Brady. Brady is still active in the women’s movements. Her feminist views are very strong.

Why I Want A Wife: Judy Brady | Essay | English Notes

The present essay is a critical commentary on how the work of wives is often taken for granted. The humor of the essay lies in its structure. The writer mocks at the situations and obligations in which wives are always immersed. She draws on her own experience to present an example of how “Good” wives are expected to behave. The condition of wives has been shown through sharp satire. It is supposed that wives will do all the household work, bear and rear children apart from taking care of the guests and the husband.

The writer points out that house cleaning, washing, ironing, and mending clothes, cooking, and serving with a smile are considered the duties of a woman. Besides this, a wife has to tend to the sick children and husband and satisfy the sexual needs of the husband according to his mood. The wife has no freedom from household works. Her other duties involve the duties of a charwoman, housemaid, hotel bearer, baby sitter, and nurse. All this work is to be done free of cost.

The condition of a wife is worse than a servant. The servant works for fixed hours, gets a salary, and enjoys a leave. The wife is a twenty-four-hour servant. The irony is that the husband is free to do anything that he wants. He may replace his wife if need be. All these things are denied to the wife.

The funny note is that the writer wants to go back to school to become economically independent. She wants to support herself and those dependent upon her. She needs someone who could perform her duties while she is away to school strangely she does not want a servant, a house-maid, babysitter, or a cook. She wants a wife who will be performed her duties like a good wife.

The writer draws on her own experience to present an example of how “good” wives are expected to behave. The satirical point presents as the writer thinks through her reasons for wanting a wife.

One thinks “Why have a paid service when one can have a wife”.

The gender role and the gross injustice to the wives have been brought out through satire.

Gagandeep Kaur Chahal

(Assistant Professor English)