Journal #3

Washington Irving’s short story, “The Wife”, demonstrates that Americans value marriage in the highest form. Marriage is portrayed as the ultimate happiness for a man, rich or poor. In the short story Irving speaks about a friend of his that said, “I can wish you no better lot than to have a wife and children”. Marriage is seen as being more gratifying than being single because of the unconditional love, support, and they are “monarchs”.  Women should support their husbands and be there for them when they are in need. The story describes a rich man who has lost his wealth – yet his wife is more beautiful, happy, and optimistic than ever. Therefore, the woman plays the backbone of the marriage. She can provide everything her husband needs to get back on his feet, or vice versa. This short story shows that economics in America at this time fluctuates very quickly. One minute a man can be rich and powerful, the next he can be poor living in a cottage. Money is a very powerful aspect of what a man uses to define himself. If it were not for marriage, or women, money could cause a man to “fall to ruin like some deserted mansion, for want of inhabitant”.