English Blog # 3

In his story "The Wife" Irving describes marriage as good support system. Irving states that "[he's] observed that married men falling into misfortune, are more apt to retrieve their situation in the world than a single men". He supports this theory by stating "[married men] are more stimulated to exertion by the necessities of the helpless and beloved beings who depend upon them for subsistence". I think what Irving is trying to say is that because a married man knows he has his family who depend upon him he is more likely to overcome any obstacles while a single man "is apt to waste and self neglect". Based on the story I believe Irving sees women as comforting and supportive. In the story the husband is afraid to tell his wife of their misfortunes because he is afraid of her reaction. The husband feels that he is "dragging her down". However, the wife is said to have taken the unfortunate news like "an angel". The husband is told by his friend "you call yourself poor, my friend; you never were so rich you never knew the boundless treasures of excellence you possessed in that woman".  In the story that is the main concern for the husband the status of himself and his wife because they have grown into poverty.However, Irving views women to be treasures that make a man truly rich rather than money or possessions.