I Stand Here Ironing

This short story was a sad account from a mother about her oldest daughter, Emily. The story from the time Emily was born until now - primarily the regrets and the heaviness that the mother still holds over Emily's life. 

Level 1 - How was Emily different than the other children?

Level 2 - Why does Emily need help?

Level 3 - What was the "cost of Emily's goodness?

i actually really liked this piece. i feel that it was brutally honest. the piece starts off with a crisp introduction " i stand here ironing" - a repetitive somber motion, that when one is ironing, they are often lost in a daze - lost in their thoughts inside this tedious action. 

whoever says this to the mother - someone that knows emily - tells the mother that she would manage time to come in and take about her daughter with them so that this unknown person can help her. 

However, the mom backs away from this question. she immediately refers to herself as not being able to understand her daughter - not being a good thing for her.

this piece demonstrates the guilt that the mother feels about emily's childhood. she sums it up completely in the last paragraph - especially when she says "she is a child of her age, of depression, of war, of fear" - all these things that "sum up" different areas of her childhood that the mother affected and feels regretful towards. 

the mother indirectly is saying that she couldve done something different for emily. while emily was struggling with her age, with her body - she couldve been there more. while the mother was young and taking care of other children, she couldve not sent emily away. she couldve been there. while emily was away and losing weight, the mother couldve been there.

but now the mother sits here - and "stands here ironing" - lost in her guilt, in her depression. it is a long self pity because now she truly believes that emily will not be able to live life to its fullest because the effect that the mother had on her. there is not much choice or hope left for emily in her mothers eyes. just that she does not want her to lead down the same life she did. 

The Lesson Response

So the lesson was about a detailed story about a girl who lived in a poor area of town, and had to be taught by this hated black lady named Miss Moore. The story particularly focuses on an afternoon when the main charactor goes to the rich side of town with a few of her "friends" and Miss Moore for a lesson. It was an interesting piece. i dont think i liked it very much. 

Level 1 question: Where did the group go for the lesson?

level 2 question: who were the charactors and what role did each of them play in the short story?

level 3 question: Why did miss moore teach these children and put in an effort for them? 

yea i didnt like it very much. the story carried on and on, and just by the middle of the piece we understood how bitter and strong headed the main charactor was. She looked down upon almost everyone she was around, including her teacher and her aunt. i think this piece was a good example of a culture being introduced - a mindset - these kids all hung out, all were taught together, all knew eachother, and they attempted to be themselves and speak their mind - however, each one would shoot down the other. but it seemed this is how it worked - this is how their relationships were. they did not respect authority or people seemingly above them (aka rich people, referred to as white people). whatever was not in their comfort zone or their own natural, they criticized or commented on it. and they were brought up it seems to speak. to live their lives and say what they want to say. the culture aspect is quite interesting though in the piece it kind of carries on - each new situation to the next. and even miss moore was not shut down by their words - she continued to teach and test them. in a way, they were all very similar. 

and i love how it ends - "But ain't nobody gonna beat me at nothin" 

i think its perfect and sums up in a way the theme of the short story. the mindset of the charactors and of the culture.