Final answer:
The correct answer is c) Ball and chain. This term has been used metaphorically to describe wives, suggesting a limitation of freedom similar to the physical restraint used on prisoners. Such metaphors are rooted in historic practices of using physical restraints as a form of punishment and control.
Step-by-step explanation:
For nearly a century, the term used to describe wives as a metaphor for a prisoner's restraint is c) Ball and chain. The phrase 'ball and chain' became a colloquialism that refers to a spouse as something that limits one's freedom, akin to how actual physical restraints like balls and chains were used to limit the mobility of prisoners. This metaphor highlights the notion of spouses as burdensome to their partners, reflecting societal attitudes of different eras. It is important to note, that such terms contribute to negative stereotypes and should be used with consideration to their implications. The context provided discusses the use of physical restraints and coercive disciplinary measures upon enslaved individuals and convicts to maintain control and establish punishment. Chains, shackles, balls, and other forms of physical bondage were commonly employed as a means of punishment and control, in both the context of American slavery and penal labor, as described in the writings of Peter Kropotkin.
When discussing historic forms of punishment and the metaphorical language derived from these practices, it is crucial to acknowledge the brutality of such instruments and the human suffering associated with their usage.