Inner Turmoil As Shown By, "As I Stand Here Ironing"
             "As I Stand Here Ironing," by Tillie Olsen is a story about inner angst and rationalization. The main character is both the mother and the narrator of the story. The mother has been asked by a counselor to come and talk about Emily, her daughter. This starts her thinking about Emily growing up. She recalls being a single mother in the beginning Emily's father left before she was born. She read books on parenting and stoically kept to them, "though her cried battered me to trembling... I waited till the clock decreed" (895). She never really gave herself credit and took the advice of others, once such instance was to send Emily to a convalescent home She did the best she could and has since learned better. The reader can see that though mistakes one learns and becomes better.
             In this story the mothers is the protagonist and is also round and dynamic. Throughout the story she remembers raising Emily. She was alone in the beginning, "Emily's father ...good-bye note" (896). She had to take Emily to be with her fathers' family for a while, "it took a long time to raise the money for her fare back" (896) ). She remembers Emily having measles when her daughter Susan was born and not being able to hold or got Emily when she needed her mother. She followed everyone else's advice, but not her own feelings. Her growth is what makes her dynamic.
             Emily is her mothers' antagonist. She is also round and dynamic. Emily suffers from first child syndrome. This is an affliction where the mothers do not feel secure enough with their own decisions. This leads to taking advice that goes against their own judgment. The reader can see Emily deals with life through comedy. Being an agreeable child Emily never outright said she didn't want to go the school with "that evil teacher" (896). She is very shy and
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