In Tillie Olsen's narrative "I Stand Here
             Ironing," I interpreted that there was a reflection of
             the loss of time and the sense of guilt between a
             mother and daughter. This is displayed in the authors
             word choice, point of view, imagery and tone.
             Olsen begins her narrative while ironing and
             talking on the phone. Her daughter needs help, she is
             told. So she begins to ask herself a million questions.
             She wonders why her daughter needs help, how she can
             help her, and what she could have done to prevent her
             from straying so far in the first place. As these
             questions run through her mind the iron in her hand
             moves swiftly back and forth in rhythm, throughout the
             entire narrative. Ironing being an act of boredom.
             With each movement she has a new thought regarding her
             daughter; she questions how she could have raised her
             In this essay one senses Emily's resentment toward
             her mother. This is because of the way in which she had
             been treated, for it is clearly obvious that Emily was
             unknowingly denied the love and attention a normal
             child would receive. What is odd though is that
             throughout the narrative one can feel the love Olsen
             has for her daughter. Nevertheless, this love that
             Olsen claims to have for her daughter, is not expressed
             enough to Emily, which, therefore, leads Emily to
             acquire many feelings of resentment, neglect and
             perhaps even betrayal toward her mother. A good example
             occurs when Olsen is confronted about her love for her
             daughter, and she says, "What was in my face when I
             looked at her?" This clearly shows how unaware she is
             This is suggested continuously throughout the
             story when Olsen recounts how she had to send her
             daughter away while she worked. Although, the act was
             unintentional, too much time away from one's loved one,
             for too long can have a drastic effect on a person;
             ...