In some stories, it could be a test. The woman might be a witch or have some special abilities and she puts the man in the washing machine to test his loyalty or his ability to withstand a strange situation. If he comes out unharmed or with a new understanding, it could signify that he has passed the test. Also, it could be used as a plot device to show the power dynamics between the man and the woman in the story, with the woman having the upper hand in this particular and very odd situation.
Perhaps it's a form of creative revenge in these stories. For example, if the man has been really messy around the house, the woman, who has had enough, decides to put him in the washing machine as a way to 'clean up his act'. It could also be part of a surreal dream sequence in a story, where the laws of reality don't really apply. The woman might be in a strange mental state in the story and the act of putting the man in the washing machine represents her trying to 'wash away' his flaws or bad behaviors.
Yes, there might be some in the world of extremely creative and wacky storytelling. It could be part of a humorous or absurd tale where the woman might have some sort of magical power or be in a very strange situation that leads her to put a man in a washing machine. But these would be very rare and not part of the typical story genres.
Power dynamics is a common theme. It shows the woman having a certain level of control over the man, which can be used to explore gender roles and relationships in a different way. Another theme could be transformation. The act of putting a man in a washing machine can be seen as a way to transform him, either physically or metaphorically, like changing his attitude or behavior.
The plot could start with the woman being frustrated with the man for some reason, like he made a huge mess. So, in her fit of anger, she discovers a magical spell that shrinks him and then puts him in the washing machine to 'clean' him up.
Another reason could be related to mental health issues. If a woman is suffering from a condition like bipolar disorder and has an episode, she may become violent towards a man without full control of her actions. However, this is not to excuse violence but rather to understand some of the complex factors that could lead to such situations in stories.
One possible reason could be a magical curse. In many fictional tales, a spell might be cast on the husband, perhaps by an angry witch or wizard, which changes his gender. For example, in some fantasy stories, if the husband unknowingly offends a magical being while trespassing in a forbidden forest, this could be the result.
One possible reason could be self - punishment due to feelings of guilt. Maybe he made a mistake and feels like he needs to be punished in a more extreme way than normal.
One reason could be a curse. Maybe she offended a powerful witch or magician, and as a punishment, she was turned into a mannequin. Another reason might be a deal with the devil - like figure. She made a Faustian bargain and the price was her transformation.
Magic or spells. In many fictional worlds, magic is a powerful force that can cause all kinds of transformations. If a magician casts the wrong spell or if there's some sort of magical accident, a man could turn into a dog.
One possible reason could be mental distress. He might be suffering from depression or some other psychological disorder that made him feel hopeless. Maybe he had financial problems, lost his job, or had relationship issues.
Betrayal could also be a cause. In some fictional tales, if a man betrayed his comrades or a powerful entity, that entity might use magic to turn him into a statue. It's a way of imprisoning him in a form that can't interact with the world anymore. For example, if a knight betrayed his king and made a pact with the enemy, the king's wizard could turn him into a statue.