I perceived the notion that she was quite envious of husbands, perhaps saddened by their freedom and her loss of it as a wife, and I also think that she feels cheated of a fulfilling life of her own due to her sacrifices of being “A Wife”. As far as her being serious I don’t actually think she wants to become a lesbian and marry another woman, i just feel she wants a little more respect from her husband and mostly a little time for herself for her needs. I know that back in the 70′s homosexual behavior was still behind closed doors even though it was practiced it wasn’t socially acceptable,therfore I can only draw the conclusion that she was speaking rhetorically. This particular essay could have put a crack in the” wife having a wife” acceptance door, perhaps.