In “I Want a Wife”, Judy Brady explores the expectations of society on women’s role in a married household in the early 1970s. In just two pages, Brady strategically uses rhetoric to introduce a new perspective on women’s roles in a marital household. The essay reads as a list of satires, and gives example after example that illustrates society’s disregard for women. Although the essay’s main objective is to reveal society’s misguided view of gender roles, that isn’t the only thing she is aiming for. Brady’s goal is to also convince her male audience and ultimately persuade them to reconsider their sexist attitudes towards women. She also wants to educate her female audience and infuriate their emotions. Brady uses many rhetorical tactics to achieve this goal.
Brady’s opening statement is a clear indication of her position. She says, “I am a wife.” Her female readers will be immediately attracted to her. This technique is employed to capture the attention of females. Brady says, “And, incidentally, I’m also a mum.” This is the very first time Brady has pointed to a stereotypical norm that women at this era did not have to be encouraged to maintain. Brady is using this cynical remark to mock the idea that a woman is not entitled to bear children with her husband, even if she doesn’t want to. Brady conveys her first powerful message to both audiences with this bold statement.
Her dissertation is not over. It continues on. “Not so long ago, I had a male acquaintance who was just out of a divorce. The reader is astonished by this audacious statement. He has a child with his ex-wife. She uses it to imply that women are left alone to raise children after divorce. She emphasizes that after a divorce, the woman will be left on her lonesome to care for any children the couple may have conceived together.
Brady continues, “I thought of him as I ironed one evening.” This is another reference to the many standards that housewives are expected to adhere to and which Brady wishes to remove. This detail is important because it affects her portrayal of herself as a writer. She portrays herself doing household chores. This strengthens the idea that she is a part of the writing. She’s revealing that she shares the same traits as them. It becomes personal. It makes it personal.
Then, she describes in an acerbic way all the reasons that she wants to marry a woman. She refers in great detail to the various expectations women are expected to fulfill, and makes it seem as though these duties will help her achieve the goal of getting a spouse. She does this to create the illusion, even if it is for just a moment or two, that she has a common understanding with men. It only takes a few sentences to discover that her caustic attitude is not what she meant. It is true that she doesn’t mean to offend anyone; all she wants is to have her voice heard. It’s a strategy she employs repeatedly in her paper, to create a grotesque portrait of the degrading and demanding roles that society assigns women.
Brady outlines a variety of duties an average housewife is expected to perform. She lists them in a haphazard manner, and does not seem to order them by importance. She jumps around from describing motherly duties to listing household chores to describing sexual expectations without regard to structure. This, however, makes the essay sound more like an angry rant. Her point is then better conveyed. This writing style works well to rile up both her female and male readers. Brady uses rhetorical organization to improve her argument.
Brady employs parallelism as well as these rhetorical tactics to bring out a particular aspect of her work. It is interesting to note that Brady begins every new paragraph with “I Want My Wife.” The essay title, which serves as a subtitle, may appear absurd. However, it does serve an important purpose. Brady doesn’t want to be married and has little desire for marital woman companionship. She wants her male audience to understand that Brady is making fun of their own speech. She wants to make them see themselves in a new light and realize how arrogant they are. She wants them all to see how ridiculous the notion of entitlement is.
Brady finishes her essay off with a question that is meant to evoke thought, but does not require an answer. This part, which is the final read, should have a lasting effect on the reader. It should be imprinted in his/her brain so that it will come up every time the topic of conversation comes up. It is a tool she uses to have the reader ponder over her entire essay. Reflecting on Brady’s question and the rhetorical questions that follow, it is obvious that the reasons people might think of to want a woman are completely wrong. Her entire argument is glued together by this realization. This point could change her life. It is what ties all of the previous points together and gives them a new meaning.
It is clear, after reflecting on the points raised, that Brady did write this paper with a purpose in mind. Each rhetorical part of the essay was carefully chosen and tied together to meet a certain purpose. She successfully influences both sides in her audience and also achieves the goals she set for this essay. Brady uses an essay to reach out to a variety of readers. Her eloquent, charming use of rhetoric will easily influence them. Her essay is filled with countless examples of rhetorical tactics in action.
Author
