Judy Brady Syfers's I Want a Wife Article Analysis

For her time, Judy Brady was able to make a vigorous verbal statement for women that still impacts us to this day. In 1971, you would not think that women were still being treated equipollent. After reading Judy Brady’s article it became clear that there is not much of a difference as you would think. Yes, women have more rights currently, but the way society still expects women to do everything and not complain has not changed. 

Her powerful article came from her thoughts about a friend’s divorce. “He had one child, who is, of course, with his ex-wife. He is 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” (Brady 1). I love that this thought process was included. I imagined her ironing and having that epiphany that created this powerful article that availed the feminist movement. In addition, the sarcasm was used to get the women who read this article to get angry, to get angry about allowing this behavior or not realizing this is going on. I was asked to “to figure out why the author is writing, and to whom.” (How to write a critique) You can tell the article is indited for adults, married or not, if they understand marriage and divorce it is for them. Furthermore, if they understand the obligations in place for women, sacrifice their life, and men, being free to do as they please, they will understand the article. Because of the article, it spreads light on the horrible, inequitable treatment of women. 

Personally, I agree with Judy Brady. As someone who grew up watching my mother being mistreated and the fact that I could not do anything about it brings this topic close to my heart. In addition, for as long as I can remember women were expected to act a certain way towards their husband. Take care of him, feed him, clean the house for him, everything would be for him. Not only did I witness that firsthand but also in movies, books, anything that showed spouses that is how their relationship is shown. It is not as harsh as a today but there is still that prospect for women to do everything. I am glad this article was published, and I hope more people address this issue.

In the Rhetorical Analysis of I Want a Wife, I enjoyed each section being separated based on the information the author is about to talk about. The ethos, pathos, logos was interesting to read. It goes over clearly how Judy Brady establishes her credibility as a wife and someone with extensive knowledge on this topic. I love the authors thoughts on the concluding sentence “My God, who wouldn’t want a wife?” (Judy Brady 2) This was the perfect ending as this author says, “the presence of irony in it clearly indicates that women are under too much stress” (Rhetorical Analysis of I Want a Wife). Women are under way too much stress to be able to clean up everyone’s life too. The are expected to give up their whole lives to being a house cleaner, cook, caregiver, entertainer, and so much more. After those obligations they are still be expected to be a lover whenever their husbands want and are not allowed to be with anyone else, but their husbands are allowed too. It is not fair and after reading both articles’ women should be enraged. 

I am glad this was the topic of our third essay, and I hope everyone in the class learned something from this assignment. It was a reminder that behavior like this is still tolerated today and how unfair society has been treating women for a long time. It is insane and sad how this article is still relevant today and reiterates how we still have more fighting to do.