A Life Yet Determined by the Wife

What do you do for a living? That is a general question that will arise during a conversation at a social gathering. In the year 2008 unless you live in Utah the answer Housewife will get you mixed reviews. Just what does a Housewife do? Well there is a endless list on chores, responsibilities, and duties to complete. The list could continue on far past laundry sheets.

I am not making lite of woman who stay home. I believe that a stay at home parent is the best way to raise children. It is the role of women and mothers that I am questioning. In the poem Housewife it clearly says, "Some women marry houses." (l. 1) A house is an object that can not give the emotional love in return. You can live and work in a house. One can make the arguement that it's not a house but a home of warmth and comfort where love is experienced.

However in this case a house is an object that can be loved but not love back. The woman married a house. The man is is vow of any (kind) emotion. In fact the only male interaction is by force. She is trapped in the belly of a whale and her fate is that of doom. Only God can save her. The one redeeming thought is "A woman is her mother, That's the main thing." (Ll. 9-10) Or is it a redeeming thought. Has her mother taught her this is her lot in life to be a Housewife or a house wife? One could be life of misery the other could be a life yet determined by the wife.