Why I want a wife by Judy Syfers INCOMPLETE

What is satire

How is satire used in the text

Why is it used and to what effect

The word satire is an adjective which connotes sarcasm and ridicule.

In 'Why I want a wife' by Judy Syfers, satire is applied very effectively through the use of the wife speaking from a mans point of view and repetition. The idea that the wife is speaking from a males perspective is satirical in its self and she opens the article by representing stereotypical roles of a wife "I was ironing one evening" although she claims that she was ironing she may have included it to create a sense of satire and irony.

Also repetition is used throughout the article

starter : connotations

What are the connotations of these words?

Wife: married, in love, caring, housewife, domesticity, nagger, understanding, passion, ring, gossip.

Mother: children, loving, children's primary caregiver, married, caring

Husband: married, wife, works hard, breadwinner, adulterer, cheater, in control, dominant

Father: children, loving, business man

Women: single, free, business women, independent

Man: single, bachelor, messy, not married

The Bitch Manifesto Autobiography

I wonder who decided on categorising and stereotyping women who are physically tall, loud, harsh, awkward, to being 'bitches'

I am considered to be a bitch, not a human being or a female but a bitch, well I suppose I am a bitch, I can not deny being a Bitch. I am aggressive, assertive, strong headed, abrupt, but I have been made to be like this. It is not my choice to be a 'bitch' this is what I am and tough luck to who it bothers.

He is married, I know I shouldn't like him but I do. There is something about him, I think he likes me too, because I am a 'bitch' I can have him. I walk up to where he is sitting, it is a park bench, I sit down not caring how or where I place my legs.

I can hear him breathing heavily, I lean in and kiss him I know I should not but I am because I am a 'bitch'. He kisses me back but when he realises that I people are around he stops and pulls back.

I look at him, he looks away. I think he knows that I am a bitch. He is scared. I stand up and walk away like nothing has gone on, he watches me.

Commentary:

I have included the repetition of the possessive personal pronoun 'I' connoting that she is self centred, egoistic, domineering, obnoxious,. They represent who she is as a person.

I have also included loads of short sentences to create a sense of masculinity, dominance, tough, turbulent,. Because she is not like other women, she is a bitch, and is androgynous. She possesses more masculine traits.

The use of syndetic listing elongates her 'bitchiness' and that there are many reasons as to why she is a bitch

Cupcakes and Kalashnikovs

Write a magazine article for "Good Housekeeping" a magazine for women, in which you argue whether married women should work. 300-400words

25marks

Audience: Women who are married therefore the writing will need to be quite formal and maybe creating a conversational tone.

It should be up to the woman whether she works or if she does not. If the couple has offspring then the woman might want to consider staying at home until the children are able to fend for themselves, because offspring are dependent on their mother. But the father should help out the mother such as: doing the washing, cooking dinner, putting the children to sleep, cleaning up after the offspring, moreover all the things which 'used' to be a woman's duty and what she was expected to do.

Men should get involved with the children, women should not be expected to do everything but work.

In addition the offspring belong to both of the parents and therefore they should both spend equal amounts with them and doing things for them, the majority should not be put on to the women.

In 1964 when women were given 'allowances' by their husbands and they were not allowed to work because of the whole patriarchal society, women were dependent on their husbands for money and financial security. In addition if they worked they would have the right to spend the money they would earn on what they would, whether it be on their offspring or a new coat it would be there choice.

Why should women get burdened with all the children while the man get the privileges of going to work?? The woman needs a break from being at home all the time; going to work may give her the opportunity to get a break from the children and spend time on her own.

Women are not the property of their husbands and moreover they should not be treated like they are inferior and only only worthy to cook, clean, look after the offspring, and tidy up after the offspring.

Women should have the right of whether they want to work or stay at home it should not be down to society.

Questions for 13th December 2010

Why did you choose English Language and Literature?
I chose Lit and Lang because I wanted to gain a wider knowledge of the whole topic of English.

What do you like/dislike about the subject?
I like planning essays however not writing them. I also enjoy discussing texts because it helps me gain a wider understanding of the texts.

Which texts have you enjoyed studying most?
I have preferred HMT and therefore enjoyed it instead of WOB because I found the WOB's language different and quite challenging. Also I liked the content of Othello because it was interesting and easy to engage with.

What do you think of the mix of discussion and writing on the course?
I prefer having a mix, because I personally learn better through discussions, and hearing other people thought and ideas.

Are you using the blog to help you work outside the classroom?
Yes, to catch up on work and to ensure that I have completed the HWK set.

How do you use the blog to help you develop essays- is there a difference from the way you write?
Although writing on a computer is easier and much faster.

What is your approach to writing essays?
I don't really have an approach to writing essays, but I have started to plan them which has been quite beneficial because i know what to include and where to include it in the essay.

Next term you will be studying Cup Cakes and Kalashnikovs- how do you think you can use the blog and other online features to enrich your study?
Online features would ensure that I got a better understanding of the text. Also I can make a note of questions raised from the book, also what I didn't understand.
Moreover I could comment on every few chapters.

Developed

Detailed essay plan

Detailed Essay Plan-1