The American Women

In Irving's "The Wife," I believe that he describes the wife in the American household as stability. No matter what a man does, whether good or bad, she is dependable and will stand by him. In the story, the man is scared to tell his wife about the misfortunes that she would judge him or not love him or no longer feel secure in her decision of marriage. But opposite to what he believes she embraces him and does not feel wronged by him. I think this suggests that American values are rooted in the idea that even if you do something wrong confronting your problems and finding the best way to deal with them will eventually lead you back to a path of happiness. I think this also says volumes about the American women. When they first settle in the colonies the women, although performing domestic jobs, learns that she needs to be stronger and less sensitive. She takes the front of all emotional problems that her children or the men in her life have. She allows them to confront her and essentially she alleviates any stress that could be there. I think that even in modern day America the rules still apply. I think that the wife is the foundation of the house and even though storms may pass through and bad things may happen, she is able to stand strong and confident. I believe because wives in the American colonies were able to wear such a strong face that it gave the men courage to survive and to carry on.