“I Stand Here Ironing” Beliefs and Values

Examination Guide
Complete the following chart, detailing how each character’s beliefs and values are shown
throughout the text. Provide evidence from the text to support your claims.

Mother’s Beliefs
One of the main beliefs that the mother holds is that she is responsible for
the difficulties her daughter, Emily, has faced in her life. She believes that
her own struggles with poverty, depression, and a failed marriage have
had a negative impact on Emily's upbringing and have contributed to her
daughter's struggles with identity and self-worth.
"I was a young mother then, high-strung, with the vivid emotions of
girlhood not yet muted by life"

Mother’s Values
In "I Stand Here Ironing," Tillie Olsen explores the values of a mother
who is struggling to raise her daughter in difficult circumstances. The
value that the mother hold include one of:

Responsibility: The mother feels a strong sense of responsibility for her

daughter's upbringing and recognizes that her own struggles and
limitations have had an impact on her daughter's life. She is committed to
doing the best she can with the resources available to her.

"She was a child of her age, of depression, of war, of fear. Her nerves fell
apart when she was eight and a half, a situation like that would leave its
mark on anyone."

Emily’s Beliefs
In "I Stand Here Ironing," Tillie Olsen portrays Emily as a young woman
who is struggling to find her place in the world. Although Emily's beliefs
are not explicitly stated in the story, we can infer some of her perspectives
and attitudes from her actions and words. Here are some possible beliefs
of Emily:

Alienation: Emily feels disconnected from the world around her, and

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 struggles to connect with her mother and others in her life. She is
described as being "shy" and "withdrawn," and seems to have difficulty
making friends or finding a sense of belonging.

Ambition: Despite her challenges, Emily has a strong sense of ambition

and a desire to succeed. She is described as having a "sense of style" and
an interest in fashion, and is determined to make something of herself.

"Why do I have to go to that place, Mommy? I don't like it there." - This

quote demonstrates Emily's sense of alienation and discomfort in social
situations, and her reluctance to participate in activities that she does not
enjoy.

Emily’s Values

In "I Stand Here Ironing," Emily's values are shaped by her experiences
and struggles. While her values are not explicitly stated in the story, we
can infer them from her words and actions. Here are some possible values
of Emily:

Independence: Emily values her independence and autonomy. She resists

attempts by others to control or shape her, and desires to make her own
choices and decisions.

Determination: Emily is a determined individual who refuses to give up in

the face of adversity. She believes that she can find a way to succeed,
despite the obstacles that she faces.

"I don't want to, I don't want to! Why can't you leave me alone?" - This
quote reflects Emily's desire for independence and autonomy, and her
resistance to the attempts of others to control or shape her.

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