I Want A Wife, And Jamaica Kincaid's Girl

Back in the time the picture of a women was seen as a house wife who cooks, cleans, and takes care of the children. Their roles were limited and often repressed not only by their husbands but also by society. The roles of women in the past are demonstrated in stories like Kate Chopin’s “The Storm,” Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” Judy Brady’s “I Want a Wife,” and Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl”. In today’s world, modern woman is educated, independent and aggressive. Up-to-date life style is what most of the women choose these days, however there are still many who follow the traditional way of living and play the role of conventional wife.
“The Storm” is a short story by Kate Chopin written in late 1800s. Story focuses on sexuality, human passion and desire. The main character Calixta is portrayed as typical housewife, where she sews and tends her family’s clothes. Although she is shown as

Brady writes in her essay about the demands that are required from wife, emphasizing that there’s an obvious difference, inequality between the concepts of husband and wife. She illustrates her point by listing the numerous tasks that are commonly expected from her, and any other wife in the world. “I want a wife who is sensitive to my sexual needs, a wife who makes love passionately and eagerly when I feel like it, a wife who makes sure that I’m satisfied.” (497) And a list of other demands like “I want a wife who will keep my house clean, (..) who will pick up after my children, (…) who will pick up after me” (497). Brady intentionally repeats: “I want a wife who...”, to point out all the expectations that are set to the woman, who takes role of a wife. It also demonstrates how overwhelming is to be a wife and a mother in everyday situations. She concludes the article with an emotional statement, “My God, who wouldn’t want a wife?”