Analysis of “I want a wife” by Judy Brady

At the moment, when women started to realize that they should have equal rights with men, as they are equal members of the society, they attempted to use various methods in order to obtain and to protect those rights. A strong wave of feminist movement in America began in 1960s and lasted till 1970s. Women struggled for their right to vote and to have the same social rights as men. The well-known essay by Judy Brady “I Want a Wife” for the first time was published in the Ms. Magazine’s inaugural issue in 1971. The genre of the essay could be classified as a satirical prose. In her essay Jury Brady wanted to persuade the readers that there is a strong need to develop objective treatment of women and their position in society along with men’s expectations of their wives should do and should be like.

The essay is devoted to the list of demands, which are required from a good wife from a male’s point of view. Comparing the roles of a husband and a wife, the author creates strong and convincing arguments regarding the existing disparity between the positions of a man and a woman in her society. Most of the work, done by a wife, demands a lot of physical and moral effort, but still remains unnoticed by most husbands. Brady directly mentions those usual household chores, which are done by a wife on a regular basis and which are perceived as if they are done without any problems: “I want a wife who will have the house clean, keep my clothes clean, ironed, mended, replaced when need be, and who will see to it that my personal things are kept in their proper place so that I can find what I need the minute I need it.” (Brady 2005). Having listed a number of tasks, she concludes emotionally at the end of the essay – “My God, who wouldn’t want a wife?” (Brady 2005). Her superficial irony is in reality very strong and convincing.

The major audience of the essay includes married men and women mostly, but it should also be treated in a wider sense, as this article is the reflection of the general social inequality, related not only to married women, but women in general. She refers not simply to the problem of the household or other duties of a woman, rather wants to make the social stereotypes about gender positions revealed. Judy Brady develops a strong connection between the position of a woman within her family and within her society in general. Important is to note that the author tries to impact not only men and their positions, but also women, who should stop acting in this way and should struggle for their rights themselves. Her constant repetition of the phrase “I want a wife to..” is to wake up the emotions of the readers and make them react actively.  The use of “I” by the author should be interpreted as her hint upon selfish male viewpoint that everything should be done by a woman alone.

In order to make her essay stronger Judy Brady uses Ethos, Pathos and Logos. Ethos could be traced at the beginning of the essay, when she establishes credibility with the phrases like: “I belong to that classification of people known as wives. I am A Wife, not altogether incidentally, I am a mother.” (Brady 2005). It was already mentioned that the author wanted to make people react and take actions, she wanted women to become angry about the state of things and this the is the aim of her pathos, culminated in the last phrase of the essay “My God, who wouldn’t want a wife?” (Brady 2005). The essay is written with clear and precise arguments and the conclusion to make is that women are forced to do too many things and remain unappreciated. The author’s logos is related to the listing of the roles, women are expected to fulfill successfully and underlining that there are too many of these roles.

Overall, the essay “I Want a Wife” by Judy Brady represents a sarcastic and clearly articulated message to both men and women, urging them to take the needed steps in order to introduce changes in the society in order to secure equal positions of both sexes.

Works cited:

Brady, Judy. “I Want a Wife” 40 Model Essays. Ed. Jane E. Aaron. Boston: Bedford St. Martin’s, 2005. 251-253. Print.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
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