Judy Bradys I Want a Wife Guided Reading

Judy Brady’s “I Want a Wife” Guided Reading Spring 2005 Designed by Daphne Lin

Your Comprehension Questions n n Look at your reading notes and share with your group members the comprehension questions you have about “I Want a Wife. ” Try to answer your group members’ comprehension questions. If there any questions that your group cannot answer, ask Daphne to help.

Questions for Discussion n n n The essay starts with “I belong to the classification of people known as wives. ” What do you think of this beginning? How do you respond to the wording “classification of people? ” Some textbooks classify “I Want a Wife” into definition, but others classify the essay into argumentation. How does Brady define wife? Or, do you think it is her definition or her observation of the society’s definition? Do you think she agrees with this definition? Why or why not? What is her point of argument then? What do you think the definition of wife in the essay sounds like? Does it sound like a job description to you? Why or why not? If the definition of wife in this essay sounds like a job description, how many job titles do you think fit to the job description? Whatever gender you are, would you like to be a wife as defined in the essay? Would you like to have a wife as such? Why or why not? Do you think wives’ position today is different from that of Brady’s generation? Why? How are they different or similar?

Literary Skill n Irony: A mode of expression, through words (verbal irony) or events (irony of situation), conveying a reality different from and usually opposite to appearance or expectation. A writer may say the opposite of what he means, create a reversal between expectation and its fulfillment, or give the audience knowledge that a character lacks, making the character's words have meaning to the audience not perceived by the character (dramatic irony). Examples: n n n Verbal irony Situational irony Dramatic irony

Verbal Irony n In verbal irony, the writer's meaning or even his attitude may be different from what he says: “Oh, sure. You are so very smart. How can you ever be wrong? ”

Situational Irony n An example of situational irony would occur if a professional pickpocket had his own pocket picked just as he was in the act of picking someone else's pocket. The irony is generated by the surprise recognition by the audience of a reality in contrast with expectation or appearance, while another audience, victim, or character puts confidence in the appearance as reality (in this case, the pickpocket doesn't expect his own pocket to be picked). The surprise recognition by the audience often produces a comic effect, making irony often funny.

Dramatic Irony n An example of dramatic irony (where the audience has knowledge that gives additional meaning to a character's words) would be when King Oedipus, who has unknowingly killed his father, says that he will banish his father's killer when he finds him.

Effects of Irony n n Irony is the most common and most efficient technique of the satirist, because it is an instrument of truth, provides wit and humor, and is usually at least obliquely critical, in that it deflates, scorns, or attacks. The ability to detect irony is sometimes heralded as a test of intelligence and sophistication. When a text intended to be ironic is not seen as such, the effect can be disastrous. Some students have taken Swift's "Modest Proposal" literally. And Defoe's contemporaries took his "Shortest Way with the Dissenters" literally and jailed him for it. To be an effective piece of sustained irony, there must be some sort of audience tip-off, through style, tone, use of clear exaggeration, or other device.

A Question for Your Reflection n What irony can you find in Brady’s “I Want a Wife” and what effects are created?

Homework n n Prepare to present your group discussion notes about “The Discus Thrower, ” “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, ” “Body Obsession, ” and “I Want a Wife. ” The presentation on each text should be 8 minutes long. Every group member must have equal share to speak in the presentation.