Anatomy of the Magnificent Wives
Despite the oppression, women nowadays in society strive to achieve excellence. In the
stories like “Astronomer’s Wife” Mrs. Ames learns to break free from her husband who dictated
her life, while in “Magnificence” the mother stood up against the man who mistreated her
daughter after they welcomed him into their home. Women are perceived as fragile but in reality,
the women of our generation stand firm and fight for their rights.
In Estrella Alfon’s “Magnificence,” the mother is seen in two different ways, as the
children’s mother and as the common woman. This essential part of the story may be missed
upon if not analyzed and understood well. In the beginning of the story when Vicente entered
their home she is seen as a woman because of her carelessness of welcoming a stranger into her
home and leaving her children alone with this man who is perceived to be “always so gentle and
so kind.” These two characters are very contrastive because the description of Vicente is that he
was “so kind” and “so gentle” which is usually seen as descriptors to women, while the mother
was described as a person who had “eyes that held pride” and who spoke in a “very low” and
“very heavy” and an “awful timbre” voice. The contrast emphasizes the darkness of Vicente and
the mother’s magnificence.(none.http://books-authors.knoji.com/analysis-of-the-short-storymagnificence-by-estrella-alfon/. [Last Accessed September,12, 2013].)
The authors made use of symbolism in their literary works to show their creativity and to
challenge the reader’s critical reading. In the story, Magnificence, the symbol used is the pencil.
Vicente brought the two children pencils to be closer to them especially the little girl. It is stated
in the story that Vicente gave the little girl pencils that are color red, yellow and white. The color
red symbolizes power, white shows purity and yellow means intelligence. The burning of the
pencils given by Vicente interpreted the somehow erase the memory of Vicente and his presence
in their home. At the end of the story the mother gave the little girl a bath that rubbed her skin
raw as if in a way that it would by some means cleanse her once again; to regain her innocence.
The contrast in these two characters can be seen also in the piece in the form of a
metaphor when Vicente entered their home and was said to be a little hesitant to enter the light
that illuminated the room where the children studied as compared to the mother who had been in
the shadows literally until the appearance of Vicente and his queerness which somehow angered
the mother which results to her advance in the glow of the light which reveals her magnificence
and creates this that had pushed Vicente into the shadows. The reversal of gender assignments is
not only incidental. The story is not just about one magnificent woman but of all women and
mothers who have been in shadows but “raise [their] hand[s]” against male abuse. This is shown
in how throughout the story the mother is referred to as “mother” but at the moment she was
punishing Vicente, she is called “woman.” .(none.http://books-authors.knoji.com/analysis-of-theshort-story-magnificence-by-estrella-alfon/. [Last Accessed September,12, 2013].)
Vicente is considered immoral but the mother can also be blamed. She relied and trusted
so much the man without knowing his background. Although the man is described as gentle,
slow in manner and helpful but these characteristic don't guarantee a true personality. On the
other hand, I admired the mother for her action - for her magnificence. She was able to drive
Vicente out of the house in a very forceful, magnificent manner but toned down. She was indeed
a mother and a woman of valor.
If you analyze the literary work, Kay Boyle’s “Astronomer’s Wife,” Mrs. Ames had to
repeat her name thrice before talking to the plumber to remind herself of the duty that she has to
her husband which symbolizes that though she is self sufficient, she still depends on her husband
because she entrusts her whole life on him. Throughout the story Mrs. Ames is awakened by the
actions of the plumber in difference with the action of her husband. Previous to this discovery,
Katherine did not realize that there were different kinds of men, and therefore she did
not realize that she and her husband were mismatched. Furthermore, in her awakening,
Mrs. Ames also discovers that she, like the plumber, occupies as valuable a place in
society as the astronomer, for she does the “dirty” work to free people like her husband
to have time to think and to discover. (none. Available at: http://schoolworkhelper.net/kayboyle%E2%80%99s-the-astronomers-wife-analysis/. [September,9,2013 ].)
As the story progresses Mrs. Ames discovers that there is a whole race of practical people
like herself and the plumber. She knew that “when her husband spoke of height, having no
sense of it, she could not picture it nor hear”, but strangely enough, when another man
who happened to be a plumber spoke of his work, “madness in a daily shape, as elbow
stopped, she saw clearly and well”. (none). . [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.studymode.com/essays/Analysis-Astronomers-Wife-1681.html. [. 31 August 11].
Mrs. Ames is perceived as the common house wife who serves her husband and is
under his submission. “There’s a problem worthy of your mettle” and “Oh I did that” are lines
used in the story to let the readers know or understand the role of Mrs. Ames to her husband that
is to serve him and become a servant to his every demand and wish. It is phrased in the story
that “left, left, left my wife and fourteen children, right, right, right and the middle of the dust
road” which symbolizes the never ending cycle of her life that is forced upon her by her husband.
The way that the dreamer or Mr. Ames talks to his wife is interpreted that he must always remind
her that he will be higher since he is the male and his wife must always be a follower to him. The
line “light had been extinguished in them” has been used as a figure of speech to disguise her
miserable life within the walls of her home. As the story progresses you would notice that Kay
Boyle gave more attention in describing the features of the plumber which imaged the little
details that Mrs. Ames never noticed about life, so the way that Kay Boyle described the plumber
was actually a way to hide the true meaning that is that Mrs. Ames neglected the little details and
wonders of life that she had been shut off from due to her submissive husband.
These two literary works are more similar than you think; though the plot of their stories
differs from each other, the moral theme of the stories mainly focus on feminism and formalism.
Both women have managed to achieve something or portray a role that is unexpected from
women, since, women are perceived as weak and submissive and is expected to follow the ways
of man there is a sense of surprise when the story is read due to the fact that in conclusion both
main roles have done something unforeseen. When the mother had shown greater presence over
Vicente, which is uncommon during the period after the Japanese occupation illustrate that
feminism is ever present. In Astronomer’s wife Mrs. Ames finally realizes what her husband is
doing to her and with the help of the plumber breaks free from the chains that her husband has
locked her in. She (Mrs. Ames) finally defies her husband and is freed from his clutches and is
liberated to do what she pleases in life. Both works had used a majority of metaphors and
symbolisms to hide the true meaning of what they are really trying to portray.
“Reading between the lines” been a common factor when it to analyzing these
stories. Both authors made use of signs within their works to show mysteriousness and
compel the readers to read their works. The way they manipulated the words would
somehow test the reader’s comprehension in understanding the said literary works.