Stereotypical views on women remain in society today; they are to marry, have children, and take care of the household. Yet with so many tasks a wife is expected to complete, what makes her any different from a servant or a maid? By the wife being expected to care for the child after a divorce, clean the house, take care of the children, and serve the needs of the husband, Brady expresses that she would want a wife too. In Brady's essay "I Want a Wife", Brady uses irony and repetition to reflect society's view on women and wives.
Brady uses irony in order to show society's view on wives: people who are like robots, servants, and maids. She mentions that she is both a wife and a mother, yet "it suddenly occurred" to her that she "would like to have a wife" (para. 1). How does it make any sense that a wife would want a wife? Brady argues that she would like one because of the tasks a wife completes. Listing the endless tasks and desires Brady wants her wife to complete, the wife is no longer seen as a beloved spouse. Rather, a person that is needed to complete chores and tasks for the benefit of another. This mentality of a wife is seen when Brady states that "If, by chance, I find another person more suitable as a wife than the wife I already have, I want the liberty to replace my resent wife with another one. Naturally, I will expect a fresh new life my wife will take the children and be solely responsible for them so that I am left free" (para. 9). The irony creates humor in Brady's piece. Therefore, the author is able to lightheartedly joke about the expectations of a wife, when it reality, Brady is revealing society's distorted perspective on wives.
Also, Brady utilizes repetition to emphasize the list of things required and expected in a wife in order to argue that Brady wants a wife not out of love, but for the work a wife can do. Throughout the entire essay, Brady repeats "I want a wife". This is seen when she states, "I want a wife who will take care of my physical needs. I want a wife who will keep my house clean...I want a wife who will type my papers for me when I have written them" (para. 4-5). The repetitive use of "I want a wife" emphasizes the expected version of a wife. The many characteristics listed that Brady desires in her wife is meant to reflect society's version of the stereotypical, perfect wife.
Brady's irony and repetition reveal society's distorted view of wives. This stereotypical perspective of a desired wife matches the long-lasting distorted view on women. Brady's essay is not only about the everyday wife, but of women in general. Her essay shows the still present false image of a woman. This image, Brady argues, that has been around for centuries, must be addressed for women and wives are neither maids nor servants, but real people.
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