I stand Here ironing – Flashcards

Emily: 19, shy, bad childhood, cynical Mom: Husband left, remarried, had 2nd child, poor, has regrets about her early parenting Susan: Mother's 2nd child, Lives up to the expectations of a perfect child, given opportunity for good parenting. Father: Leaves family after 1 year, emily grows up to resemble him

1st person narrative through the Mom

Ironing board, flashbacks to great depression, WWII, 1950's, *Convalescent school - Because she was so thin she needed treatment

Starts off with mom speaking to someone about how she didn't have control over he daughter, and should have been a better parent. Between the timeline of Emilies life, (Baby, kindergarden, middle school, high school, present) there are flashbacks of times in her own life, how she struggled, etc. Emily at one point is finally recognized for her talents, but the attention of her classmates takes away the attention Emily was giving too her Mother, who in reflection expresses her regrets as a parent.

Ironing: Symbolises the mother "running over" the history her and Emily had growing up. In a sense, "Ironing out all the wrinkles" in their relationship.

Marxism: Class struggles, the expectations Emily is supposed to live up to are defined by social structure. Feminism: The ups and downs of being a mother without the proper resources, or a husband