Obey Your Wife - Poster

Henry had always been a timid and obedient husband. He never argued with his wife, Alice, who was the dominant and decisive one in their marriage. He did whatever she asked him to do, without question or complaint. He cooked, cleaned, worked, and paid the bills, while she enjoyed a life of leisure and luxury. He loved her, despite her selfishness and cruelty, and hoped that one day she would appreciate him and treat him better.

But that day never came. Alice died in a car accident, leaving Henry alone and heartbroken. He was devastated by her loss, but also felt a strange sense of relief. He was free from her control, free to live his own life, free to make his own choices. He wondered what he would do with his newfound freedom.

He went to see their lawyer Mary Blanchard in her office to settle Alice's estate. He expected to inherit everything, since they had no children and surely his wife would repayment his duty and service to her. He was shocked when Mrs Blanchard told him that Alice had left a will, and that it contained some unusual and specific instructions for him. He was sure she was smirking at him as she handed over the will to him.

The will stated that Henry had to follow Alice's wishes for the rest of his life, or he would lose everything. He had to live in the same house, wear the same clothes including the maid’s uniform she had subsequently insisted he wear when undertaking the domestic chores and he found himself turning crimson realising the lawyer would have read this and would explain why she was looking at him with such disdain, he read on, eat the same food, and do the same chores as before. He had to quit his job and donate his salary to Alice's favorite feminist cause. He had to visit her grave every day and bring her flowers. He had to keep a picture of her in every room and talk to her as if she were still alive. He had to remain faithful to her and never date or marry anyone else. He had to do all these things, and more, or he would forfeit his inheritance and be left with nothing.

Henry was stunned and outraged by Alice's will. He felt betrayed and manipulated by her, even in death. He wanted to reject her will and renounce her legacy, but he was afraid of losing everything he had worked for. He was torn between his duty to his wife and his desire for freedom but he realised with a rueful smile that there really was no dilemma, of course he must obey his wife, as in life as in death he mused. 

As he left the lawyer’s office his heart beat faster. ‘Oh Alice’ he mumbled under his breath ‘I am yours, ever yours’. 

2023 work. (Story from 2024).

Poster details:

Museum-quality poster made on long-lasting matte (uncoated) paper.

- Paper-weight: 170 gsm / 65 lb

- Shipped in sturdy packaging protecting the poster