Questions and Answers
How does the opening paragraph set the tone for the entire essay?
The opening paragraph is declarative and emphatic, suggesting that the idea of 'wife' reduces women.
What is the effect of Judy Brady repeating the sentence 'I want a wife'?
It builds humor and emphasizes the satirical message of ownership and subjugation.
What is the overall structure of Brady's argument?
Brady's argument can be structured as a syllogism with the premises being that all people have needs and a wife fulfills those needs.
How would you describe the progression of the paragraphs?
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What elements of satire does Brady use?
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What gender inequities does Brady catalog in her essay?
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Study Notes
Opening Paragraph and Tone
- Utilizes a declarative and emphatic style; the three sentences clearly set the tone.
- "Classification of people" highlights a reductive view of women as "wives."
- Capitalization of "A Wife" emphasizes the label and its social implications.
- Parenthetical phrase "not altogether incidentally" indicates a connection between "mother" and "wife," suggesting mutual dependency.
- The tone conveyed is defensive, reflecting on societal views of the role.
Repetition and Pronouns
- "I want a wife" is repeated to enhance humor and satirical effect.
- Concludes with the rhetorical question, “My God, who wouldn't want a wife?” emphasizes prevalent attitudes.
- The pronoun "my" implies ownership and utility, highlighting subjugation of wives.
Structure of Argument
- Syllogism format illustrates the logical progression of the argument:
- Major Premise: All people have needs.
- Minor Premise: A wife fulfills needs.
- Conclusion: All people need a wife.
- According to the Toulmin model, a wife is positioned as efficient at meeting traditional needs like cooking and caring for children.
Paragraph Progression
- The essay transitions from less to more offensive portrayals of the husband-wife relationship.
- Begins with supportive behaviors, appealing to women readers from a feminist perspective.
- Lengthy paragraphs outline traditional roles, reflecting the significant work women do.
- Builds toward more painful truths, maintaining a breezy style amidst serious subject matter.
Elements of Satire
- Uses humor and hyperbole by listing extensive daily tasks expected of a wife.
- Example: A wife is expected to manage menus, grocery shopping, and housework while the husband studies.
- Understatement emphasizes the undervaluation of women's labor, e.g., a minor cut in a wife’s income is portrayed as tolerable.
Gender Inequities Cataloged
- Comprehensive list of sexist expectations placed on women in the wife role, all unpaid and underappreciated.
- Reveals inequities in education, with women not encouraged to pursue intellectual growth.
- Highlights service roles where men are exempt from household chores.
- Discusses sexual dynamics, indicating women provide satisfaction without reciprocal needs.
- Addresses imbalances in companionship where men receive social support, while women give without expectation.
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Description
This quiz delves into the rhetorical strategies and societal implications within the text 'I Want a Wife.' Explore the use of repetition, tone, and argument structure, as well as the critique of traditional gender roles. Understand how humor and satire serve to highlight the reductive views of women as defined solely by their roles as wives.
