Paper 1 Sample Response (Housewives)

          This text is an opinion column from an online newspaper The Hindu, written by Kriti Sharma, a business executive and humanitarian, titled “Infinities of Being a Housewife.”  The author shifts the tone throughout the text to persuasively express why she thinks housewives are overlooked as well as why they should be treated with the “love, respect, gratefulness, and dignity” that they deserve and are lacking as a result of the “male chauvinistic society.”

            The author immediately presents a provoking idea and image which is sure to stimulate discussion in various circles.  The author’s stance is first clearly states in bold, establishing the topic of the opinion column to address “why her job is the most magnanimous one in the world,” taking a clear positive tone and opinion on housewives.  Imagery is then heavily used in the first two paragraphs, using language that creates a humorous tone that reads more mocking to those who recognize the dismissive tone of the male adults.  The description begins with the author’s father putting their – at the time, seven year old cousin – “on his lap” which alone is a typical image one might see amongst family members.  This image used in combination with the endearment of “little girl” with the classic question of future plans allows the author to paint a familiar scene to the reader.  The dramatized description of the cousin’s “eyes brightening” and her voice “squealing” clearly conveys her young, carefree, and naïve character.  After the first paragraph however, the tone shifts from a reminiscent and vivid retelling to something that comes off as more mocking and dismissive.  The “guttural laughter” the author’s cousin gets in response is something that many women who grew up in a more traditional patriarchal household would be familiar with and with the context of the subject of the opinion column, taking a feminist stance on housewives, the author strikes a sour note or tone as the ingrained prejudicial dismissal of the importance of a housewife’s role is made evident.  In addition, the endearment of “sweet child” becomes almost mocking as it assumes the only reason the author’s cousin would say they’d want to be a housewife is because they’re young, and thus naïve.  It takes on a placating role as the intention of the grandfather is clearly meant to nudge the girl away from this idea, once again exposing the immediate disrespect of a housewife’s significance.  Finally, the phrase “hardly a job” creates an incredulous tone from the cousin’s paternal grandfather that implies he views the labours of a housewife to not be adequate value or difficult to warrant admiration.  Followed by the short statement of “it’s a duty,” it creates a sense of finality in his tone that allows no room for debate.  As the scene shifts, so too does the tone, and suddenly a familiar gathering that should be comfortable and enjoyable turns sour as the author exposes the effects and issue of a patriarchal society where men devalue women. 

            The opinion column then shifts the focus to comment about the role and significant of a housewife, taking on a tone of awe and respect.  The author describes a housewife as the “core of every family,” an ever present an integral, central aspect of everyday life and commonality.  The use of the word “juggling” later on implies being able to handle multiple tasks requiring skill and experience.  The common association of juggling with clowns and circuses aids in further depicting the home to be a chaotic place that may turn wild if not reigned in.  Sharma continues this tone of respect and admiration when describing housewives as “a pillar of support,” strong and grounded when their husband is not.  Continuing the compliments, such as “a guiding light” and “a harbour,” Sharma pictures a housewife as a comforting light in dark times.  She then compares the roles of a CEO and a housewife, describing their responsibilities as similar – or a housewife’s as even more laborious.  She argues that a housewife “in fact” works longer than a CEO and the author takes on a matter-of-fact tone that serves to address those who might disagree with the comparison.

            The tone once again shifts from admiration of housewives to a critique of how society treats them.  By following up a comparison between a “CEO [who] gets paid in millions, while [a housewife’s] work just goes unacknowledged” with “she rarely even receives gratitude,” Sharma highlights the inequality and skewed manner of determining what work is worth in monetary terms.  She takes on an incredulous tone implying  housewives do just as much for the family as a CEO does for a company and it is therefore unacceptable and shocking that they do not receive the same praise and compensation.  Sharma expresses her critique of society’s treatment and attitude towards housewives by clearly identifying the root of the issue, specifying the “patriarchal understanding” as that which devalues women’s contributions.  Sharma writes from the perspective of this understanding, saying “she has to perform these tasks on a daily basis, irrespective of whether she likes it or wants to do it at all.”  By shifting perspective and summarizing the prejudiced views of society (as it concerns being a housewife) in a way that bluntly displays those views as being disrespectful and inconsiderate of housewives as people who deserve respect for all that they do.  As established in previous paragraphs, Sharma uses this blunt, almost indignant tone to criticize and expose their flawed views of society.  Sharma further expresses her opinion of elevating housewives by implying a housewife’s job is more valuable than the “breadwinner” as “it is the [housewife] who actually makes the food that he eats.”  Without the housewife to manage the home, that which the man brings to the table would be of no use and it is the housewife who gives the man’s work worth.  Sharma finally calls for society to “[wake] up” implying that husbands are living in a dream world if they believe a housewife’s labour is of no significance and society should realize the truth, the reality of the situation.  She ends the opinion column by highlighting the “regressive” nature of this “mindset” that looks negatively upon the (positively portrayed, by Sharma) “noble, yet silent toil” of a housewife who does more than they are acknowledged for by society.  

            To conclude, Kriti Sharma presents a feminist stance and critique on the unreasonable prejudice directed towards housewives who deserve respect for giving meaning to what men do and take control where it matters to ensure men, or “breadwinners,” even have a place to provide for. 

Word count: 1096 words