"The Wife" 9/6

1. What does Irving's short story, "The Wife," say about American values regarding marriage, women, and economics?


I believe that in Irving's short story "The Wife" he is explaining how women are less superior to men.  He explains how his wife cannot live in poverty, that some how she does not know how.  During this story it seems as if Irving believes a women cannot understand the concept of living without all the material possessions that she wants.  But you can also see a ray of hope for women in this story because you see that she does not care if she has to live in poverty but that she would do anything for her husband and just wants to be with him.  I think this still holds true today you hear such expressions as behind every strong man is an even stronger women.  You get the sense that men need to be providers but without having a women behind him to make him feel better about the choices he has made then he will crumble.