...Champion, Laurie. “Literary Contexts In Short Stories: Tillie Olsen’s ‘I Stand Here Ironing.’” Literary Contexts In Short Stories: Tillie Olsen’s “I Stand Here Ironing” (2006): 1. Literary Reference Center. Web. 22 Oct. 2015. Dr. Laurie Champion, a Professor of English at San Diego State University, analyzes the gender, class, and race in twentieth- century American literature. In “I Stand Here Ironing,” she analyzes how being poor and having to work can affect both a mother and a child. Champion discusses how working causes the mother to have to abandon her child. This essay reflects how different circumstances affect Emily’s self-esteem. Frye, Joanne S. “’I Stand Here Ironing’: Motherhood As Experience And Metaphor.” Studies In Short Fiction...
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...Literary Critique of “I Stand Here Ironing” Tillie Olsen’s “I Stand Here Ironing” focuses on a mother who receives a phone call while ironing, about her eldest child Emily. The call comes from a school guidance counselor asking her to make time to see her so they could discuss helping Emily. While listening, the mother partakes in a mental or interior monologue of her first born child’s life, and how being a single teen mother facing poverty shaped her daughter into who she is to today; a stiff, awkward ,and isolated young woman. Although there are various angles in which to analyze this text, the prominent angle is how society, especially in the 1930’s, view of women and motherhood have affected the narrator in her way of raising Emily. A sociological critique of I Stand Here Ironing by Tillie Olsen examines a wide range of social and feminist issues throughout the short story. Theses social ills have left the narrator with a strained psyche and have her questioning her parenting. I “Stand Here Ironing” is a short story in which the reader gets a mental image of the way it was for the narrator to raise her child alone. The narrator was a single mother at the age of nineteen, living during the latter years of the Depression. As a single mother during the depths of the Great Depression it was an especially hard time. The narrator describes the world in which her first child, Emily was born into. “It was the pre-WPA world of the depression” (290). Emily’s mother struggled to...
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...stories. In “I Stand Here Ironing” by Tillie Olsen, the story includes many autobiographical elements, including the narrator’s recollection of being a teenage mother with limited opportunities who is abandoned by the baby’s father. The story explores the effect that the child had on female identity during the Great Depression and World War II. The narrator tries to accept responsibility for her failings as a mother, but she also is very aware of the situation. The story here is relevant to today’s views on female identity and feminism. Tillie Olsen’s story focuses on the mother’s desire to live an acceptable life. The mother works long hours in order to get by, but it affects the relationship with her daughter. At the time, being a single mother that worked was considered a social norm. Olsen's story gives readers a sense of the challenges there are to be a working mother at that time. Even though the mother and daughter relationship in Olsen's story doesn't fit the stereotype, it reveals strong bond between them, one that cannot be broken....
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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...
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...Through the theme of family relationships in the 20th century, the stories of Scott Fitzgerald’s Babylon Revisited and Tillie Olsen’s I Stand Here Ironing, both depict how the absence of a child’s parents during their childhood led into a negative change in the child’s character. In order to understand Fitzgerald’s and Olsen’s stories it is important to know what child neglect is and the harmful effects it causes to the child. Child neglect is a lack of parental care. The amount of damages that child neglect causes in a child’s life can be irreversible. A parent has to provide enough care in order to meet the substantial needs of the child. During their rearing children cannot provide for themselves because he or she does not have the ability to effectively manage their life, unless they are assisted by their parent or caretaker. Parents duty consist of helping their child transition into adulthood by confronting anything hindering their development. It’s a parent’s...
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...Tillie Olsen Biography Tillie Lerner Olsen is recognized for her impressive poetic writing skills that illustrates the lives of the common laborers, women and people of other races. Tillie Lerner was born on January 14, 1912 in Omaha, Nebraska. She is the second of six children of Samuel and Ida Lerner who was a Russian – Jewish immigrant. Her parents’ social beliefs played a big role in her. Growing up, Tillie was an avid reader. However, in 1927 at the age of 15, she withdrew herself from school and worked at various minimum paid jobs in different states which then led her to California. Being a political activist in the Socialist community, Olsen was arrested for making loud disturbing noises while setting up a packinghouse. Her experience then led her to write her very first book, Yannondio: from the Thirties, in which was not published after forty years later (“Olsen”). In 1933, Tillie moved to San Francisco, California along with her daughter, Karla. While in San Francisco, Tillie met Jack Olsen who later became her lifetime partner. They both shared their interest in human rights and justice. Jack and Tillie had four daughters, Karla, Julie, Kathie and Laurie. The living conditions of raising a family while being a political activist disabled Tillie to continue her writing. However while living in San Francisco, she began to be recognize for her hard work against racism, women’s right, anti-war and for the safety of the individuals. To give even more recognition...
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...life. It is ironic that with his eyes closed, the narrator is finally able to “see.” And, through this experience the author hopes that the readers will experience this revelation as well. It is evident that the author believes it matters to pay attention to what is going on and make meaning of it, especially if it is a family member. At the end of the story, the impression is made that Robert will improve his connection with his wife and look for the meaning beyond the surface level. And, the stories inspire the reader to do the same. Tillie Olsen’s “I Stand Here Ironing” is a short story that also gives an idea of what the author finds meaningful in life. The story opens with a mother on the phone with someone calling about her daughter, Emily. It is never specifically stated who it is, but it is assumed to be a guidance counselor or a service worker. The first few lines set the mood of the story by saying “I stand here ironing, and what you asked me moves tormented back and forth with the iron” (Olsen 223). Like the motion of this iron, the story reflects on the daughter’s life back and forth, progressing and regressing between hope and despair. The mother then begins to explain the events in Emily’s life to the person she is speaking to. At eight months old, Emily’s father left the family because he could not take the life of poverty any longer and Emily was put in the care of her neighbor because her mother had to work. At the age of two, Emily moved back with her family...
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...2013B Carefully read the following excerpt from the short story “Mammita’s Garden Cove” by Cyril Dabydeen. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how Dabydeen uses literary techniques to convey Max’s complex attitudes toward place. ‘Where d’you come from?’ Max was used to the question; used to being told no as well. He walked away, feet kicking hard ground, telling himself that Line he must persevere. More than anything else he knew 5 he must find a job before long. In a way being unemployed made him feel prepared for hell itself even though he knew too that somewhere there was a sweet heaven waiting for him. How couldn’t it be? After all he was in Canada. He wanted to laugh all of 10 He continued walking along, thoughts drifting back to the far-gone past. Was it that far-gone? He wasn’t sure . . . yet his thoughts kept going back, to the time he was on the island and how he used to dream about 15 being in Canada, of starting an entirely new life. He remembered those dreams clearly now; remembered too thinking of marrying some sweet island-woman with whom he’d share his life, of having children and later buying a house. Maybe someday he’d even own 20 a cottage on the edge of the city. He wasn’t too sure where one built a cottage, but there had to be a cottage. He’d then be in the middle class; life would be different from the hand-to-mouth existence he was used to. 25 His heels pressed into the asphalt, walking on. And slowly he...
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...2013B Carefully read the following excerpt from the short story “Mammita’s Garden Cove” by Cyril Dabydeen. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how Dabydeen uses literary techniques to convey Max’s complex attitudes toward place. ‘Where d’you come from?’ Max was used to the question; used to being told no as well. He walked away, feet kicking hard ground, telling himself that Line he must persevere. More than anything else he knew 5 he must find a job before long. In a way being unemployed made him feel prepared for hell itself even though he knew too that somewhere there was a sweet heaven waiting for him. How couldn’t it be? After all he was in Canada. He wanted to laugh all of 10 He continued walking along, thoughts drifting back to the far-gone past. Was it that far-gone? He wasn’t sure . . . yet his thoughts kept going back, to the time he was on the island and how he used to dream about 15 being in Canada, of starting an entirely new life. He remembered those dreams clearly now; remembered too thinking of marrying some sweet island-woman with whom he’d share his life, of having children and later buying a house. Maybe someday he’d even own 20 a cottage on the edge of the city. He wasn’t too sure where one built a cottage, but there had to be a cottage. He’d then be in the middle class; life would be different from the hand-to-mouth existence he was used to. 25 His heels pressed into the asphalt, walking on. And slowly he...
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...theory today A Us e r - F r i e n d l y G u i d e S E C O N D E D I T I O N L O I S T Y S O N New York London Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 270 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 2 Park Square Milton Park, Abingdon Oxon OX14 4RN © 2006 by Lois Tyson Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business Printed in the United States of America on acid‑free paper 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 International Standard Book Number‑10: 0‑415‑97410‑0 (Softcover) 0‑415‑97409‑7 (Hardcover) International Standard Book Number‑13: 978‑0‑415‑97410‑3 (Softcover) 978‑0‑415‑97409‑7 (Hardcover) No part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, transmitted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publishers. Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data Tyson, Lois, 1950‑ Critical theory today : a user‑friendly guide / Lois Tyson.‑‑ 2nd ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0‑415‑97409‑7 (hb) ‑‑ ISBN 0‑415‑97410‑0 (pb) 1. Criticism. I. Title. PN81.T97 2006 801’...
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...Research Chair in International Business, Ivey Business School, University of Western Ontario ‘This book provides a comprehensive, well-organized and richly illustrated analysis of inter-firm cooperation. While relevant for managers and business students, it extensively draws on the most up-to-date research, making it also a valuable source for academics studying strategic alliances and the wide array of management issues they raise. Child, Faulkner, and Tallman have done a remarkable job of putting together in a highly consistent way all the knowledge available on what has become an essential facet of business development, namely Cooperative Strategy.’ Pierre Dussauge, Professor of Strategic Management, HEC – School of Management, Paris ‘I highly recommend this book for alliance scholars and practitioners. The breadth of coverage of the practical and theoretical literature on cooperative strategy is one of the book’s primary contributions. The authors demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and the numerous case studies demonstrate a close connection with actual experience.’ Andrew Inkpen, J. Kenneth and Jeanette Seward Chair in Global Strategy, Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management ‘Companies need to know not just how to compete with other firms, but how to cooperate with them. The proliferation of joint ventures, partnerships, and strategic alliances reflect the increasingly dispersed and networked structure of modern business organisation...
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