I Stand Here Ironing Analysis of Growth Through
Pain
Rachel D
Tillie Olsen uses the iron as a metaphor for struggle in Emily and
her mother’s life. Mentioned throughout the story, the iron plays an
important role in presenting the feelings and emotions felt by the
characters. The iron is used to represent how Emily and her mother
feel helplessly moved by the problems in their life. They each want
each other to know that they are more than their struggles, and
though it may seem like they are broken, they are actually, “..more
than helpless before the iron.” (p.349)
The relationship between Emily and her mother is an important
part of understanding the iron as a metaphor. Emily’s mother, whose
name is not mentioned, was a lone parent with four children and, as a
result, did not spend much time with Emily. Throughout the story,
Emily is shown to be an outsider. Her mother, the narrator, knows this
and feels guilty for not being involved in her child’s life more and is
constantly questioned about her love for her. Emily’s mother, is upset,
although she does not have control over her circumstances. Emily is
affected by her mother’s absence and as a result, isolates herself from
everyone around her. She squanders her talent for comedy and acting
through her isolated nature. The mother and the daughter are affected
by each other’s lives.
Emily’s experiences play a big role in her helplessness. As a young
child she contracted measles; during that time she was restricted from
any contact with her mother. But Emily, never fully recovering,
remained weak, and was shaped by the experience. Emily developed
slowly, causing her to “torment herself” “‘If I had copper hair, If I had
that skin…’” (p.347) she said. She continued to be “helpless” when she
Pain
Rachel D
Tillie Olsen uses the iron as a metaphor for struggle in Emily and
her mother’s life. Mentioned throughout the story, the iron plays an
important role in presenting the feelings and emotions felt by the
characters. The iron is used to represent how Emily and her mother
feel helplessly moved by the problems in their life. They each want
each other to know that they are more than their struggles, and
though it may seem like they are broken, they are actually, “..more
than helpless before the iron.” (p.349)
The relationship between Emily and her mother is an important
part of understanding the iron as a metaphor. Emily’s mother, whose
name is not mentioned, was a lone parent with four children and, as a
result, did not spend much time with Emily. Throughout the story,
Emily is shown to be an outsider. Her mother, the narrator, knows this
and feels guilty for not being involved in her child’s life more and is
constantly questioned about her love for her. Emily’s mother, is upset,
although she does not have control over her circumstances. Emily is
affected by her mother’s absence and as a result, isolates herself from
everyone around her. She squanders her talent for comedy and acting
through her isolated nature. The mother and the daughter are affected
by each other’s lives.
Emily’s experiences play a big role in her helplessness. As a young
child she contracted measles; during that time she was restricted from
any contact with her mother. But Emily, never fully recovering,
remained weak, and was shaped by the experience. Emily developed
slowly, causing her to “torment herself” “‘If I had copper hair, If I had
that skin…’” (p.347) she said. She continued to be “helpless” when she
