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Character Analysis

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Submitted By tcarroll9
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Todd Carroll English 102 3/2/16
I Stand Here With Freud Psychoanalytic criticism focuses on a work of literature as an expression in fictional form of the inner workings of the human mind. This means that authors write about what goes on in their subconscious life. They write about what makes them as a person without the author actually knowing it. Tillie Olsen, the author of “I Stand Here Ironing,” was born into a middle class working family. She was born before the Great Depression, which means she grew up during it. “ I Stand Here Ironing” took place during the Great Depression and the main character is Emily. Emily is the first born in the family and she was the only baby that was beautiful at birth. She is a loner who has always been self-conscious of her dark hair and complexion; this makes her insecure. Through out the story the reader learns what the mom had to go through in order to raise her children.

At the beginning of “I Stand Here Ironing” an unknown character tells the narrator that her daughter Emily needs help. The mother then goes to explain that there is nothing she can do for her at this point. Emily grew up a beautiful baby but she was troubled by illnesses. Her father had to leave their family to go find work. This was a normal thing to do during the depression but it left her mother alone with her. In the story you learn that the mother would work any job just to provide for Emily. As Emily grew up her appearance changed and her skin got darker. She did not look as good as she did when she was a child. This turned her into a loner and she became more insecure.

In the short story the narrator explains that Emily always had a reason to skip school. Emily hated school because of her insecurities. Not only was she insecure but she had a mean teacher. This added to Emily being self-conscious about herself. Her mother also says that Emily hardly ever smiles, unlike her other siblings. A good thing Emily had was a pg. (333)“rare gift for comedy on the stage that aroused laughter.” Through out the story the reader finds out why Emily is the way she is, and it is true; that her mother can not help her.

The entire story is based around Emily. At the opening of the short story, her mother which is the narrator; is sharing about Emily growing up. You quickly learn that everything the mother did was based around Emily. She worked hard jobs for little money in order to provide for her. Emily always gave her mother trouble due to the fact that she was very insecure. The main thing she hated as a child was going to school. Emily always gave her mother a hard time about going to school. The title of the story represents what the narrators job was at some point. It symbolizes the meaning of this story.

The author of the story lived through the Great Depression. She was born into a middle class working family. During the depressions the middle class got hit the hardest with unemployment. Tillie Olsen portrays herself through emily in this short story. Emily was the same age Olsen was at during this time period. Not only does she express herself through Emily, but one might suggest she does it through the narrator as well. Tillie Oslen raised four children and knows what it is like for a single mother. Overall, the author portrays herself through the entire story but it is noticeably seen through the mother and Emily.

“I Stand Here Ironing” has many different meanings to it. The one that stands out to me the most is with Emily. She has no friends because she does not know how to make them. She grew up not knowing how to deal with her insecurities and now she is a loner. Emily being insecure makes it hard for her to be normal and do normal things. It is a dark cloud over her head. Tillie Olsen’s life is portrayed through “ I Stand Here Ironing.” She wrote this book around the same time frame she was growing up. Emily was her growing up and the mom was Tille Olsen raising her children. This story represents what it was like to be a single mother during the Great Depression.

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