I Stand Here Ironing By Tillie Olsen

"I Stand Here Ironing", by Tillie Olsen is a short story portraying the life and regret of a young mother struggling to raise her oldest daughter. The mother- daughter relationship is the major part of the story and the attitude of the mother toward her daughter, Emily, and the actual character of the mother are two very important elements. The character of the mother can be said to be strong and persevering, and along with her age and experience came her wisdom. At first her attitude toward her daughter seemed more of resigned and regretful, but as Emily grew up and became a beautiful and talented young women, the mother knows to let her be and leave her to live her own life. The character of the mother is crucial to the entire story, for it is this that will determine
As Emily grew older and the mother grew wiser, her attitude toward her daughter changed as well. When Emily grew out of her awkward stage, the mother realized what a beautiful and capable young women she had grown to become. The mother can clearly see this, and does not realize any problems with her daughter. When the social worker calls, she basically tells them to back off and let Emily be. Her main hope for her daughter is that she realizes what potential she has, and she won't conform to society, but have a mind of her own do what makes her happy. The character of the mother in "I Stand Here Ironing" is one that is wise and strong. She is able to be pushed to the lowest and stand back up again. Those characteristics determine her attitude toward her daughter, Emily. At first while she was still young, she looks with pity upon her daughter who she so hopelessly was not able to provide for. But as time proceeds she realizes that her youth was just a small stage in her life that she has grown out of, almost like a