Story - The Tolerant Man Who Becomes a Boss: Husband and Wife

A young wife claimed to be ill whenever her husband was at home. She always sent him to another town to get medicine for her, but he suspected that she just wanted him out of the way. He didn't like the situation, but had no idea what to do about it.(1) One day when he again was in another town looking for medicine, he met his cousin, to whom he told his troubles.

His cousin assured him he could cure the wife and solve the husband's problem at the same time.(2) The cousin insisted that they return home immediately without bothering about the medicine. Upon reaching home, they discovered that the wife was merrily giving a party and enjoying herself with several young men. The cousin then whispered instructions to the husband.(3)

Acting on his cousin's advice, the husband took a whip hanging on the wall and beat his wife into unconsciousness.(4) When she regained consciousness, she never again claimed to be sick, and she became a dutiful and obedient wife.(5)

1. The Tolerant Man is married to a Shrew whom he does not or cannot control.

2. This situation violates the cultural requirement of male dominance/female subservience.

3. Someone instructs the Tolerant Man about his need to take control.

4. The Tolerant Man follows the instructions and changes into a Boss.

5. He uses violence to attack his wife.

6. Through violence, he forces his wife to change from a Shrew into a subservient Good Woman.