What is the significance of the “half old tan and half new ivory cage of moldings, rails and baseboards” appearing at the end of the story? (Reference : Class 12 English NCERT Vistas - Should Wizard hit Mommy)
Solution:
At the end of the story Should Wizard Hit Mommy we find a hint of marital discord in Jack and his wife Clare’s relationship. "Half old tan and half new ivory cage of moldings, rails, and baseboards" is used as a metaphor to indicate a fresh feminist transition in the traditional family structure. When after putting Jo in bed, Jack goes down to help Clare with painting the woodwork, when she exclaims that it had been a long story, referring to the fact that John had taken longer than usual in putting Joe to bed. He feels a strange detachment from his responsibilities as a husband. He is reluctant to help his pregnant wife with the work and feels trapped in a cage with her. He feels frustrated with her, as she had not waited for him to start the work. Additionally, he finds her wearing his shirt, which makes him feel that she is trying to assume his place in the family.
At the end of the story Should Wizard Hit Mommy we find a hint of marital discord in Jack and his wife Clare’s relationship. "Half old tan and half new ivory cage of moldings, rails, and baseboards" is used as a metaphor to indicate a fresh feminist transition in the traditional family structure. When after putting Jo in bed, Jack goes down to help Clare with painting the woodwork, when she exclaims that it had been a long story, referring to the fact that John had taken longer than usual in putting Joe to bed. He feels a strange detachment from his responsibilities as a husband. He is reluctant to help his pregnant wife with the work and feels trapped in a cage with her. He feels frustrated with her, as she had not waited for him to start the work. Additionally, he finds her wearing his shirt, which makes him feel that she is trying to assume his place in the family.