Comparison of Judy Bradys Article I Want a Wife and Joanne Leonards Research Paper

Comparison of Judy Bradys Article I Want a Wife and Joanne Leonards 1966 Photograph Sonia - Research Paper Example Judy Brady’s essay â€Å"I Want a Wife† was written in the year 1971 when women were still expected to follow their traditional roles, to conduct themselves in a particular way for the men of their households. It is penned in a rather sarcastic and even humorous manner in which Brady talks of the reasons why she would want a wife for a change instead of being one herself. And when one reads through her essay, one really does not wonder as to why she thinks in such a manner. The wives of those times were seen as automatons, creatures who would give birth to babies and then take care of them, cook for them and feed them, watch over them all their lives. Similarly, they would also look after their husbands, wash and iron their clothes, cook their meals, listen to them talk about their work, give them space when they needed it, be pretty for them, act the perfect hostess, look after their need or lack thereof sexual activities. She would also be aware that she could be repl aced by another woman anytime, while she was not allowed to leave her husband for another man. The wife had to fulfill all the roles that the society required her to without thinking of her feelings, her wants or her needs. In short, she could live and breathe, but she was not the master of her own life, she had no right to dream, she would forever live her life serving, doing errands for her husband or children. That they would work for twenty-four hours and still manage to look pretty and be responsive during the sexual activities, and so on.