I Stand Here Ironing by Tillie Olsen : A Comprehensive Analysis

“I Stand Here Ironing” is a short story written by Tillie Olsen, first published in 1961. It’s a powerful tale that explores themes of motherhood, poverty, and the impact of societal expectations on women.

The story is told from the perspective of a mother who reflects on her relationship with her daughter Emily while ironing clothes.

The Plot: A Mother’s Reflections

The story begins with the narrator, an unnamed mother, receiving a message from someone at her daughter Emily’s school. This person wants to discuss Emily and asks, “Is there anything I can tell you about Emily?” This simple question sets off a stream of memories and thoughts in the mother’s mind as she irons clothes.

As she irons, the mother recalls Emily’s life from birth to the present. She remembers the challenges they faced:

• Emily’s early years during the Great Depression
• The mother’s struggles as a single parent
• The times when Emily had to be cared for by others
• Emily’s bout with measles that left her thin and hollow-eyed
• The birth of Susan, Emily’s younger sister, and how it affected Emily

Throughout these recollections, the mother grapples with feelings of guilt, regret, and helplessness. She wonders if she could have done things differently and if those changes would have made Emily’s life better.

Key Characters

The Mother (Narrator)

The mother is the main character and narrator of the story. She’s a complex figure who:

• Struggles with poverty and the demands of single parenthood
• Feels guilty about the choices she had to make
• Reflects on her parenting and its impact on Emily
• Shows resilience in the face of hardship

Example: The mother’s complexity is evident when she says, “I will never total it all.” This simple statement reveals her awareness that she can’t fully understand or resolve all the issues in her relationship with Emily.

Emily

Emily is the mother’s firstborn daughter. Through the mother’s recollections, we learn that Emily:

• Had a difficult childhood marked by separation from her mother
• Suffered from illness and feelings of abandonment
• Developed a talent for comedy and mimicry
• Struggles with self-esteem and finding her place in the world

Example: The mother describes Emily’s comedic talent: “She begins to dance. And then she sees herself, and the dance stops.”

Other Characters

While not central to the story, other characters play important roles:

• Emily’s father, who left when Emily was eight months old
• The mother’s second husband
• Susan, Emily’s younger sister
• Various caretakers who looked after Emily

Themes Explored in the Story

Motherhood and Guilt

One of the most prominent themes in “I Stand Here Ironing” is the complex nature of motherhood, particularly the guilt that often accompanies it. The mother constantly questions her decisions and wonders if she could have done better for Emily.

Example: The mother’s guilt is evident when she says, “I did not know then what I know now—the fatigue of bearing a child. We thought, because we had given our children birth, we had a say in their lives.”

This quote shows how the mother has come to realize that giving birth doesn’t automatically grant the wisdom or ability to control a child’s life. It reflects her growing understanding of the limitations of parental influence.

Poverty and Its Impact on Family

The story vividly portrays how poverty affects family dynamics and child-rearing. The mother’s economic struggles force her to make difficult choices that impact Emily’s upbringing.

Example: The mother recalls, “She was a miracle to me, but when she was eight months old I had to leave her daytimes with the woman downstairs to whom she was no miracle at all, for I worked or looked for work and for Emily’s father, who ‘could no longer endure’ (he wrote in his good-bye note) ‘sharing want with us.'”

This passage illustrates how financial necessity forced the mother to leave Emily with a caregiver who didn’t cherish her, and how poverty contributed to the father’s abandonment.

The Effects of Historical Events on Personal Lives

Olsen sets the story against the backdrop of significant historical events, particularly the Great Depression. These events shape the characters’ lives in profound ways.

Example: The mother mentions, “It was the pre-relief, pre-WPA world of the depression.” This brief reference gives context to the extreme hardships the family faced and helps explain some of the mother’s choices.

Identity and Self-Discovery

The story touches on Emily’s struggle to find her identity and place in the world. Despite her talent for comedy, she struggles with self-doubt and a lack of confidence.

Example: The mother observes, “She has a child’s face, but hard, and more closed than open.” This description hints at Emily’s internal struggles and the way her difficult childhood has affected her.

Literary Techniques Used in the Story

Stream of Consciousness Narrative

Olsen uses a stream of consciousness technique to tell the story. The mother’s thoughts flow freely, moving back and forth in time as she recalls different events in Emily’s life.

Example: The narrative jumps from Emily’s infancy to her teenage years and back again, mirroring the way human memory often works.

Symbolism of Ironing

The act of ironing serves as a powerful symbol throughout the story. It represents:

• The repetitive nature of domestic work
• The mother’s attempt to “smooth out” the wrinkles in her relationship with Emily
• The futility of trying to perfect the past

Example: The mother says, “I stand here ironing, and what you asked me moves tormented back and forth with the iron.” This line directly links the physical act of ironing with the mother’s mental process of revisiting the past.

Use of Rhetorical Questions

The story is peppered with rhetorical questions that the mother asks herself, highlighting her uncertainty and self-doubt.

Example: “Why do I put that first? I do not even know if it matters, or if it explains anything.” These questions show the mother’s struggle to understand her own narrative and its significance.

The Significance of the Ending

The story’s conclusion is both poignant and open-ended. The mother, finishing her internal monologue, thinks about what she would say to the person inquiring about Emily:

“Let her be. So all that is in her will not bloom—but in how many does it? There is still enough left to live by. Only help her to know—help make it so there is cause for her to know—that she is more than this dress on the ironing board, helpless before the iron.”

This ending is significant for several reasons:

1. It shows the mother’s acceptance of Emily as she is
2. It acknowledges that not everyone reaches their full potential
3. It expresses hope that Emily will recognize her own worth
4. It implicitly criticizes a society that might reduce a young woman to a passive object (like a dress on an ironing board)

The open-ended nature of the conclusion leaves readers to ponder what might happen next for Emily and her mother.

Historical and Social Context

Understanding the historical and social context of “I Stand Here Ironing” enhances our appreciation of the story:

The Great Depression

The story is set partly during the Great Depression of the 1930s. This economic crisis caused widespread poverty and hardship, which directly impacts the characters’ lives.

Example: The mother’s need to work and leave Emily with caregivers is a direct result of the economic conditions of the time.

Women’s Roles in Mid-20th Century America

The story reflects the changing roles of women in American society. The mother struggles with societal expectations of motherhood while also needing to work outside the home.

Example: The mother’s guilt over not being a “good enough” mother reflects the societal pressure women faced to be perfect homemakers and caregivers.

The Post-War Era

Part of Emily’s childhood takes place in the years following World War II. This period saw significant social and economic changes in America.

Example: The mention of Emily’s talent show performances hints at the growing youth culture of the post-war years.

Tillie Olsen’s Background and Its Influence on the Story

Tillie Olsen’s own life experiences greatly influenced “I Stand Here Ironing”:

• Olsen was a working-class woman who struggled to balance her writing career with family responsibilities and financial pressures.
• Like the mother in the story, Olsen had to leave her eldest daughter in the care of others while she worked.
• Olsen was politically active and concerned with issues of social justice, which is reflected in the story’s critique of societal inequalities.

Understanding Olsen’s background helps readers appreciate the authenticity of the emotions and situations portrayed in the story.

The Story’s Place in American Literature

“I Stand Here Ironing” holds a significant place in American literature:

• It’s considered a classic of feminist literature, giving voice to the often-silenced experiences of working-class mothers.
• The story is praised for its realistic portrayal of mother-daughter relationships and the complexities of parenting.
• Olsen’s unique narrative style, blending stream of consciousness with social critique, influenced many later writers.

Analyzing the Title

The title “I Stand Here Ironing” is worth analyzing:

• It immediately sets the scene, placing the narrator in a domestic setting.
• The present tense “stand” contrasts with the past-tense reflections that make up most of the story, creating a sense of the past and present coexisting.
• “Ironing” serves as both a literal action and a metaphor for the mother’s attempt to smooth out her memories and understanding of her relationship with Emily.

The Story’s Relevance Today

Despite being written over 60 years ago, “I Stand Here Ironing” remains relevant:

• It addresses timeless themes of parental guilt and the challenge of balancing work and family.
• The story’s exploration of poverty’s impact on families resonates in today’s discussions about economic inequality.
• Its portrayal of a complex mother-daughter relationship continues to speak to readers of all generations.

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FAQs About “I Stand Here Ironing”

1. Q: Who is the narrator in “I Stand Here Ironing”? A: The narrator is Emily’s mother, who remains unnamed throughout the story.
2. Q: What is the main conflict in the story? A: The main conflict is internal. The mother struggles with guilt and uncertainty about her parenting decisions and their impact on Emily.
3. Q: Why is the story called “I Stand Here Ironing”? A: The title refers to the narrator’s action throughout the story. It also serves as a metaphor for her attempt to smooth out her memories and understanding of her relationship with Emily.
4. Q: What is the significance of Emily’s talent for comedy? A: Emily’s comedic talent represents a glimmer of hope and potential in her otherwise challenging life. It also serves as a way for Emily to cope with her difficulties.
5. Q: How does the Great Depression affect the characters in the story? A: The Great Depression creates financial hardships for the family, forcing the mother to work and leave Emily with caregivers. This separation has a lasting impact on their relationship.
6. Q: What does the ironing symbolize in the story? A: The ironing symbolizes the repetitive nature of domestic work, the mother’s attempt to “smooth out” her memories and relationship with Emily, and the futility of trying to perfect the past.
7. Q: How does the story end? A: The story ends with the mother’s thoughts about what she would say to the person inquiring about Emily. She expresses a desire for Emily to recognize her own worth beyond societal expectations.
8. Q: What literary technique does Olsen primarily use to tell the story? A: Olsen primarily uses a stream of consciousness narrative technique, allowing the mother’s thoughts to flow freely between past and present.
9. Q: How does the story portray motherhood? A: The story portrays motherhood as complex and challenging, filled with love but also guilt, regret, and the constant questioning of one’s decisions.
10. Q: What is the significance of the other characters mentioned in the story? A: While not central, characters like Emily’s father, the mother’s second husband, and Emily’s sister Susan help to provide context for the challenges and changes in Emily’s life.