Julia Alvarez's Ironing: Poem Analysis

The other day, my devoted mother texted me to assure my well-being was not at stake. Many may not see the significance of this text; however, my mother was derived from the Baby Boomer Generation, therefore she is not fond of the technology realm. I told her I wasn 't okay. She attempted to continue texting me despite her having odd formatting and grammatical errors in her text. Later, this led to a phone call and the last thing she told me was "Don 't forget to pray and I love you." It was within those words that I felt comfort. This particular moment is a clear depiction of family love. To be able to feel comfort although distance functions as a strain. I guess I can claim that I 'm living the "good life" because I have my mother. When life seems to smother me with problems, my mother extricates those problems. Perhaps that is why the "good life" can only be lived through family love which is depicted in the presence of family figures. Having a family figure allows guidance towards the good life. Without family, there would be a detrimental effect; the child 's …show more content…
As stated in the poem, "I ironed out my father 's back / and worried with work. / I stroked the yoke, / the breast pocket, collar and cuffs" (2-4). The narrator and her family migrates to a country that offers freedom. Although this seems appealing, adjusting to a new country is often difficult. The narrator sees wrinkles as she irons her father 's shirt. The wrinkles on his shirt symbolizes hard work. The father provides a roof over the family 's head by working a laborious job that makes him appear tired. Love is shown because he works hard so the narrator does not have to. Sacrifices were probably made to ensure that the narrator would have a better life. By moving to a new country and working a laborious job, the father depicts his willingness to do what he can so his family could live the good