The story, “I Stand Here Ironing”, gives an insight into the life of a single, young mother trying to care for her first-born child, along with caring for other children as well. The story is told through the mother’s point of view, which lets the reader understand her thought process. Because the story is told from the mother’s perspective, it allows the reader to gain a better understanding of the mother and her life. The mother’s perspective also allows the reader to understand background information about the mother’s life before her child, Emily, was born. In this story, "I Stand Here Ironing", the audience gets many views of man vs. self between the mother and herself, and man vs. man conflict between the mother and the father; which
…show more content…
self is a big conflict the mother deals with throughout the story. In the beginning, the reader is given the information that the mother is nineteen years old and has just given birth to a baby girl. From the beginning, the mother is left with a decision as to how she shall care for the baby. The mother could either give the child up for adoption, or try her hardest to raise the child herself. This is a single way man vs. self is brought into the story. The mother contemplates the thought of giving the child away, but decides to try and raise the child on her own. The mother takes on this responsibility, and takes up many jobs so she can support her daughter, Emily. As the story progresses, the reader learns that the father has left the mother and the daughter, Emily, because he could “no longer endure” the situation. This situation leaves the mother and Emily with a big question. What to do now? The mother’s motivation to support her child guides them both through the tough times. Because of the father’s absence, the mother is forced to take on more work to support her daughter, and now a new house because of the move away from the father. This leaves the mother with a man vs. self conflict because of the father’s leave of absence. Income is a troubled spot for the mother because of the father’s absence, so she takes it upon herself to find more work to support her daughter. Man vs. self conflicts are found continuously throughout the story, which gives depth to the story by allowing the mother’s hardships to be shown. These hardships are overcome by the mother’s motivation to keep her child supported and
self is a big conflict the mother deals with throughout the story. In the beginning, the reader is given the information that the mother is nineteen years old and has just given birth to a baby girl. From the beginning, the mother is left with a decision as to how she shall care for the baby. The mother could either give the child up for adoption, or try her hardest to raise the child herself. This is a single way man vs. self is brought into the story. The mother contemplates the thought of giving the child away, but decides to try and raise the child on her own. The mother takes on this responsibility, and takes up many jobs so she can support her daughter, Emily. As the story progresses, the reader learns that the father has left the mother and the daughter, Emily, because he could “no longer endure” the situation. This situation leaves the mother and Emily with a big question. What to do now? The mother’s motivation to support her child guides them both through the tough times. Because of the father’s absence, the mother is forced to take on more work to support her daughter, and now a new house because of the move away from the father. This leaves the mother with a man vs. self conflict because of the father’s leave of absence. Income is a troubled spot for the mother because of the father’s absence, so she takes it upon herself to find more work to support her daughter. Man vs. self conflicts are found continuously throughout the story, which gives depth to the story by allowing the mother’s hardships to be shown. These hardships are overcome by the mother’s motivation to keep her child supported and