I Stand Here Ironing - Tillie Olsen - ★★★.½

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AUTHOR: Tillie Olsen
GENRE: Short Story, Classic.
RATING: 3.5 stars.

A short story about a mother’s feelings of guilt over the way she raised her daughter.

Written in the first person point of the mother, the story begins with her reminiscing after someone, presumably some guide or counsellor, has asked for the mother’s help in talking to Emily and understanding her better. As this request flutters into the mother’s mind while she stands ironing, she goes over past memories, looking back at Emily’s childhood as the first of five children, born during the time of the Depression. As Emily’s father had walked out just a few months after her birth, it was up to the young mother to do her best, even when it went against her gut feelings.

The entire story focusses just on the feelings of the mother, divided over the events of the past and wondering if there was anything she could do differently. She also recollects the Emily of today, self-sufficient and strong despite her tough early years.

This tale is quite contemplative in nature. As the mother ruminates over her past, you get to see bits and pieces of the events that made Emily who is she is today. Maybe you will also wonder what you would have done were you in the mother’s place. Or, in Emily’s.

I would have liked a few of the gaps to be filled in as the story glosses over several key facts that would have helped me understand the jigsaw of the past better. Nevertheless, a good short work. This isn’t a quick or light-hearted story, but to be read when you want something to ponder over.

This classic was first published in the author’s short story collection ‘Tell Me A Riddle’ in 1961. You can read this tale online for free using THIS LINK.

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