I Stand Here Ironing: Analysis of Growth Through Pain

            

       Tillie Olsen uses the iron as a metaphor for the struggle in Emily and her mother’s life. As 

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 was forced to help her mother's parents, and as a result, suffered in school. Emily lived through “war”. (p.349)

        Her mother, having watched Emily, understands how her absence in her life has affected her. Emily’s mother concludes the story by saying “Only help her to know-help make it so there is a cause for her to know that she is more than this dress on the ironing board, “helpless before the iron.” By stating this she is saying that though she was absent during her daughter’s life, she still loves her and wants her to know that she does not have to let her circumstances shape her, or, as I like to say it, I am not what happens to me.