"I Stand Here Ironing"

Paper Summary:

This paper summarizes and reviews "I Stand Here Ironing" by Tillie Olsen. The paper describes the main characters in the story; how they are affected by their cultural, familial, and personal circumstances; and the consequences of these circumstances.

From the Paper:

"In the early years, the mother's failures are relatively innocent. She fails to provide a sense of safety for the infant mainly because she has read in books that it is best to make a feeding schedule. She sends her baby away to a baby-sitter or to her relatives not for lack of love and compassion, but for lack of the financial ability to both provide full-time care and financial support. No one can honestly blame her for her failures in these areas, despite the fact that they no doubt have long-term negative effects on Emily. However, her failures become more severe as her child ages. For example, she pays attention to Emily's welfare when she is with a baby-sitter, but ignores the signs that the nursery school is a very bad place. If she had attempted to do so, she may have been able to find a better school, or a baby-sitter that was better than the school. However, she neglects her own instincts (which she admits to having at the time) regarding the school just to make life easier on herself."

More papers on "I Stand Here Ironing":

• Analytical Essay # 125716 : "Tillie Olsen's "I Stand Here Ironing"
• Analytical Essay # 25360 : "I Stand Here Ironing": An Analysis"
• Book Review # 119223 : "Tillie Olsen's Life and "I Stand Here Ironing"
• Analytical Essay # 29344 : "I Stand Here Ironing"

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