Typically in stories we see mothers painted in one of two lights, the first being the all American, doting, and loving mother, the second at times unfavorable or cold. Rarely does the reader get the see the character for both their good and bad in blatant truth. In Tillie Olsen’s I Stand Here Ironing the narrator makes herself transparent to the reader and allows us to see her for exactly who she has been throughout her journey of motherhood, flaws and all.
In this story, we meet a mother of five who remains nameless throughout. This woman tells us of her struggles as a working single parent. When we meet our main character she is busy with housework, as she often is, when she receives word from someone who is concerned for the emotional well-being of her oldest daughter, Emily. This person, whom one would assume is a school counselor, is concerned and looking to Emily’s mother for answers. Emily seems withdrawn and often times reserved, thus causing the narrator to question whether or not her actions played a role in the development of this behavior. In light of this, Emily’s mother brings the readers with her throughout her stream of consciousness reflecting on her inner feelings of guilt with the way she has raised Emily. Through this narrative we learn how this mother with the best of intentions often times found herself too …show more content…
With her new work schedule the narrator finds herself forced to place Emily in daycare while she works. Although she knows that her daughter is not receiving quality care, she continues sending her daughter to this care-giver. Many hours are spent away from her daughter and young Emily often cries for her when she picks her up in the evenings. Eventually, due to her work schedule the mother has to send her daughter to live with her father’s family until she can more adequately provide for
In this story, we meet a mother of five who remains nameless throughout. This woman tells us of her struggles as a working single parent. When we meet our main character she is busy with housework, as she often is, when she receives word from someone who is concerned for the emotional well-being of her oldest daughter, Emily. This person, whom one would assume is a school counselor, is concerned and looking to Emily’s mother for answers. Emily seems withdrawn and often times reserved, thus causing the narrator to question whether or not her actions played a role in the development of this behavior. In light of this, Emily’s mother brings the readers with her throughout her stream of consciousness reflecting on her inner feelings of guilt with the way she has raised Emily. Through this narrative we learn how this mother with the best of intentions often times found herself too …show more content…
With her new work schedule the narrator finds herself forced to place Emily in daycare while she works. Although she knows that her daughter is not receiving quality care, she continues sending her daughter to this care-giver. Many hours are spent away from her daughter and young Emily often cries for her when she picks her up in the evenings. Eventually, due to her work schedule the mother has to send her daughter to live with her father’s family until she can more adequately provide for