The Modern Trophy Wife

Following the first descriptions of Lily, I could not help but compare her to the modern day trophy wife. With her “vivid head, relieved against the dull tints of the crowd, made her more conspicuous” and “the modeling of her little ear, the crisp upward wave of her hair – was it ever so slightly brightened by art? – and the thick planting of her straight black lashes. Everything about her was at once vigorous and exquisite, at once strong and fine. He had a confused sense that she must have cost a great deal to make, that a great many dull and ugly people must, in some mysterious way, have been sacrificed to produce her” (26-27). Lily understands that her only currency is her looks. Further, the only way she will be accepted by society is if a man decides to purchase her. In doing so, the man will have a means to display his wealth. The more beautiful the woman, the richer the man looks.

Now, over one hundred years later women are still valued based on their appearance. Like it or not, Anne Kingston, author of “The Meaning of Wife” contends, “When we talk about a trophy, it doesn't matter how successful a woman is. It comes down to the decorative aspect and the idea that she's a babe.” I suppose it could be called progress that now success is actually brought into the conversation. However, as Kingston points out modern trophy wives are just decorations that dress well, can chitchat at cocktail parties, and are good looking. While I firmly believe women can be and are just as successful as men, I’m not sure I have as much of a problem with the concept of a “trophy wife” as I had previously thought. If a man does not value intelligence and wit in his wife, why should society tell him he has to? Alternatively, a woman needs not marry a smart man solely because our culture values it. I understand that emphasizing some women’s appearance almost necessitates that it be valued in all women. However, I think the greater issue is that a woman who is smart and attractive can only be recognized as the later. If a woman is only good looking or intelligent, then she can and should be valued as such. Yet when she is both, it is important to recognize and appreciate that.