Let's
examine identity markers in Katie Chase's short story "Man and Wife." At first, the
society seems to be our own until we find out about the arranged marriages of young girls. In
this society, gender is an important identity marker. Parents arrange for girls to be married
off to men in business agreements. This is standard and expected of them:
Now it was real: my future was just the same as any other
girl's.
Before she goes to live with Mr. Middleton, Mary
Ellen's mother teaches her how to cook, sew, and complete other duties expected of a wife.
Gender roles are extremely prevalent and define what the characters do with their lives. It is
rare for women to be included in business:
Mr. Middleton
has made me apprentice to his business, which he says one day when he is dead, I will take over.
Even ifand the decision to have children is entirely up to me, he saysone day we have a son.
This is highly unusual and very...
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