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Journal Question/ Class Discussion
#7 Even though this essay was published in 1971, when the feminist movement was a strong political force, it has remained popular for decades. Why? Some of the details seem dated, such as the reference to a typewriter and ashtrays. Do you think that the situation Brady describes is still relevant? Or is the essay mainly a historical document that is a reminder of times past?
The topic of feminism is still prevalent in todays society
Journal Question/ Class Discussion
Point Of View- Brady's writing is told from a first person perspective with the use of many personal pronouns and personal examples
"I belong to the classification of people known as wives. I am a wife...I am a mother."
Tone- Brady uses a satirical tone through the whole piece and Irony is her main strategy to accomplish this
" I want a wife who will not bother me with rambling complaints of a wife's duties."
Diction- Brady's uses average level diction and does not include any complex jargon, colloquialism, or generational slang.
"I want a wife who will take care of the baby-sitting arrangements."
Subject- Brady's entire focus is on the subject of traditional roles of a wife within the home and her many expected duties toward family
#2 What is the effect of Judy Brady repeating the clause "I want a wife" again and again. What is the effect of Brady's use of pronouns in referring to herself and "her" wife?
Occasion- This piece was written for Ms. magazine, a liberal and feminist magazine
The repeating clause stresses the list of duties expected by a wife. The use of pronouns creates irony.
Audience- Brady's audience is women, wives, and feminist
Purpose- Brady's main purpose is to highlight sexism within what is traditionally expected of a wife using satire
Speaker- Judy Brady, a feminist with a crucial role in the women's movement, addresses sexism through satire and humor
Satire- The rhetorical strategy Brady relies on the most is Satire. Her satire is formed from a satirical tone, irony, hyperbole, and condescending tone.
Irony: "My God, who wouldn't want a wife."
Satirical tone: "I want a wife who will not bother me with rambling complaints of a wife's duties."
Hyperbole: "I want a wife who will care for me when I am sick and sympathize with my pain and loss of time from school."
Condescending tone: "I want a wife who will go along when our family takes a vacation so that someone can continue to care for me and my children when I need a rest and change of scene."
Judy Brady was born in San Francisco, California in 1937. She graduated from The University of Iowa in 1962 and had an active role within the 1960's feminist movement. Through being an editor and author she also advocated for environmental and political movements. She has written for Greenpeace Magazine, the Women's Review of Books, Ms. magazine, and many others.
Journal Question/ Class Discussion
#5 What elements of satire does Brady use? How does she, for instance, us hyperbole? Understatement? Humor? Irony? Others?
#8 How might you apply the same rhetorical strategies that Brady uses in this essay to another one entitled "I Want a Husband"?
Previously stated
Using satire, clauses and rhetorical devices to show satire.
As modern society continues to debate on issues with gender equality and gender roles the word feminist is becoming popular. What do you consider a feminist and would you consider yourself a feminist? Yes or no, and why
Syntax- Brady incorporates straight to the point imperative sentences filled with many commas/lists. They give the reader perspective on the overwhelming duties expected of a wife.
"I want a wife who cooks the meals, a wife who is a good cook. I want a wife who will plan the menus, do the necessary grocery shopping, prepare the meals, serve them pleasantly, and then do the cleaning up while I do my studying."
Parallelism- These short imperative sentence are also all parallel, which adds to the feeling that the piece is a list of demands
"I want a wife who will take care of my physical needs. I want a wife who will keep my house clean. A wife who will pick up after my children, a wife who will pick up after me."