The Young Housewife

Even though the poem seems straightforward, its message about sex is complex and intricate. The sexual undertones form because of the way the speaker imagines the young housewife. They describe the mid-morning scene: “At ten A.M. the young housewife / moves about in negligee” (Lines 1-2). By this time, its implied that the young housewife’s husband has been at work for a few hours. The word “negligee” (Line 2) carries sexual connotations. Despite the mid-morning hour and her husband’s absence, the young housewife seems to crave sexual attention. The speaker then describes the young housewife as “shy” (Line 7) and “uncorseted” (Line 7). The words not only convey vulnerability, but they also convey a sense of insecurity. This juxtaposes the image of the young housewife calling “the ice-man, fish-man” (Line 6), which makes the woman seem forward in her personality and actions. The young housewife tucks in “stray ends of hair” (Line 8), an action that insinuates that she would like to be perceived as attractive by the working men she summons.

The sexual undertones are most apparent when they compare the young housewife to a “fallen leaf” (Line 9). The speaker then engages in running over “dried leaves” (Line 12) with their car. The speaker’s comparison of the housewife with a “fallen leaf” (Line 9) insinuates that they view the woman as an overtly sexual being, one who does not hide herself, her body, or her desires despite the modesty society and her husband may command. Thus, she becomes “fallen” (Line 9) if she participates in sexual relations with anyone but her husband. The speaker’s action of running over the “dried leaves” suggests the speaker has used the leaf/female comparison before, perhaps because of past sexual relations with other women similar to the housewife.