“I Want a Wife” & “Why I Want a Husband”

June 1, 2011

“I Want a Wife” & “Why I Want a Husband” Response Questions

1.      Do these essays have a traditional, explicitly stated thesis? If so, what is it (for each)? If you believe the thesis or purpose is implied for both essays, paraphrase each in your own words.

He is obviously looking for another wife. As I thought about him while I was ironing one evening, it suddenly occurred to me that I, too, would like to have a wife. Why do I want a wife?

I felt in my duty to make an effort. For I now realize that just as Judy Brady wants a wife, I want a husband.

I believe the purpose is implied for both essays, because it both gives the definition of what a wife would be like and what a husband would be like, or what they believe should be a wife and husband.

2.      Throughout the essay, Brady repeats the words “I want a wife” and Fernsler repeats “I want a husband.” What is the effect of this repetition?

The repetition of the essay is showing the way the essays are set up.  They want the reader to realize that this is what a husband should be like as also a wife should be like.  So they keep reminding you in the reading.

3.      Brady never uses the personal pronouns he or she to refer to the wife she defines. Why do you think she makes this choice? What about Fernsler’s pronoun usage? Is he equally “genderless”? How does his pronoun usage impact or affect the essay?

I believe they don’t use he or she, because the roles could be switched, but in their opinions they believe this is the way it should be.  I believe they are both genderless.  I believe Fernsler’s is trying to follow the role of Brady so he uses husband, as she only uses wife.  It affects the essay, because it starts out wife or husband, but they don’t use he or she so you begin to wonder if they mean the wife or husband it could be switched, all though they do use wife and husband in the reading to keep you on track.

4. The first and last paragraphs of each essay are quite brief. Why do you think Brady and

Fernsler chose to write such short introductory and concluding paragraphs? What effect does it have on the reader?

I believe they made it brief in the beginning and ending paragraphs, because they are clearly making their point.  It tells the reader throughout the story what a wife or husband should be but at the beginning it explains shortly what it’s going to be about and the end it states how they want it to be just within a couple sentences.  It affects the reader, because you read what they want but at the end it’s just a simple want at both the conclusions of the readings.

5.Do you think both authors really want the kind of wife and husband each describes—does this ideal spouse actually exist? Explain why you think Brady wrote her essay in the early 1970s— and then what motivated Fernsler to respond in the late 1980s...what does each essay say about the time period in which they were written?

I believe some households are like the stories.   I think that the wife does the chores, gets the kids to practice, school, packs their lunches ect.  As the husband works hard and relaxes when he gets home waits on dinner, and on the weekends works out in the yard and gives the wife a break.  I believe that the time difference is the schooling and the money. 

ESSAY

I want a boyfriend.  A boyfriend to share your deepest secrets with and someone that will be there for you when you need them the most.  A boyfriend to take care of me and show their support.

Having boyfriends in the past and realizing they aren’t the right ones that fit you, you move on and wait until one comes around that fits you the way you want them to fit.  Having past boyfriends you find out most boys are the same, but eventually one will do more things right then the other and realize they are the one that fits.  I want a boyfriend that is and outdoors man.  That likes to get dirty and knows how to work on trucks and cars, that can take a boat out without having to ask their dad for help.  I want a boyfriend that grew up hunting and can teach you the right way to hunt and know what he is doing.  I want a boyfriend that is independent and doesn’t rely on their parents, that’s dedicated and hardworking towards their job.  Someone that doesn’t have to impress me every second has their own style, boots, jeans and an old baseball hat.  Someone that listens to country music and knows the words to most songs.  Someone that can take me to a fishing hole no one knows about.  A boyfriend that likes to travel and go on a random boating trip, motorcycle trips, or plan a weeklong trip to the beach in the summer.  Someone that can make me laugh uncontrollably and kiss my forehead when watching a movie.  A boyfriend that wants to take me out to eat, or cook supper for me.  A boyfriend that will grab my hand for no reason, or bring me flowers at work just because.

            A serious boyfriend should have a lot of things in common.  A boyfriend that eventually wants to build a life with you.  That wants to build on at least ten to twenty acres, have woods so we can walk out the back door and go hunting.  Live out in the country where we don’t have many neighbors.  Live in a pole barn house.  Half  a house and half a barn, and store our tractor, boat and hunting boating in the barn part along with a room full of hunting stuff.  The house part full of hardwood floors high ceilings and beautiful kitchen cabinets.  Our deer heads hanging in the living room and a lab pup one inside for my pet and an outside one for his hunting dog.  Later eventually build a house when the barn is paid off.  Start a family and begin to mold one another.  Start having traditions and holiday traditions, having family over for suppers once a week.  Cooking and cleaning the house together.  Planting flowers in the summer while he mows the lawn.  When it’s hot take the boat out and cool off, relax and drink some beer.  Enjoy our time together.  Don’t get in a rush and enjoy what brought you where are.  Have a date night once a week, while the family babysits so we can still have our time.  Take the family on a family vacation every summer, so the family can travel and see different places around the United States, see the mountains and the ocean.

All of these reasons about a boyfriend I want is a lot to ask for, but at the same time is so simple.  Be dedicated to one another, enjoy life and have a good time.  Eventually you will grow together and build on the dreams you want.  It takes time and you will eventually get there.  Starting out small things such as hold hands to the bigger things building a pole barn together to starting a family.  People have different dreams and hopes, but it all leads the same way in the end.  Don’t be scared to dream and live for what you want.  It will take time and staying positive, but someday the right boyfriend will come around and you will know that all those things you want in life will happen and you will be thankful that they came into your life.  Continuing living your dream and don’t give up.