6.0. Character in Short Fiction

[Mariela]

Jennifer wrote: "In the short story, "I Stand Here Ironing," by Tillie Olsen Emily is first introduced into the story by her mother, the narrator. The narrator who initially describes Emily as "the first and only o..."

I agree that the hardships Emily and her family went through has made Emily become the girl she is. Despite the circumstances, she puts that aside and discovers her gift for comedy which Jennifer says turns her into a more that "complex character. "

[Mariela]

Isaalia wrote: "Andrew wrote: "Sometimes if the reader only knows about a character through the eyes of another, the portrait that emerges is flat. Explain how you would evaluate Emily's character in "I Stand Here..."

I agree, Emily in the beginning of the story was seen as a person who was "somber" and with a "low self-esteem." As she soon discovers and embraces her gift, she is transformed into a completely different person which surprises us.

[Carlos]

Although Emily is the main Character in the Story "I Stand here Ironing" she isnt really explained in depth she is taken seriosly in a way. She is like alomst a forgotten child, while she is left to be byherslef because her mother couldnt care for her in a healthy way but rather it being benificial the Emily was acttuly not eating correclty and was suffering without her mother. when she comes back to her mother emily is more of a cold child were as she dosnt open up for hug wuth her mother and is just blank. The reader dosent know what emily is thinking but thoughout the story the reader only knows what the narator " the mother" is thinking becuase the story takes place in the mother's thoughts as she irons cloths.

[Carlos]

Leslie wrote: "In the story, "I Stand Here Ironing", Emily is portrayed in her mother's point of view as a flat character. For instance, her mother describes her as "a child seldom smiled at", characterizing her ..."

Leslie i do agree that emily is under her mothers point of viwn and isnt really taken into depth as mush as the story should. instead he is just a flat character with so discription of her own thoughts.

[Carlos]

Eunice wrote: "Li-Yuen wrote: "“I Stand Here Ironing,” begins with Emily’s mother’s inability to account for Emily’s disposition. Because Emily is 19, most of her development happened “outside” and “beyond” her m..."

In the begining i feel that emily is protraied as a very flat character but towards the end of the story emily goes from a flat character to a round character on how the mother changes her point of view of her daughter.

[Leo]

Emily does not become a "character" until the mother procedes to describe emily. However, the mother was not there to raise and nurture emily therefore her opinion on emily isn't credible and it makes emily's character one dimensional. Although, as the story progresses so does the readers knowledge of emily and she evolves into the complex being she is.

[Moises]

Upon evaluating the character that is described in "I Stand Here Ironing" the Narrator speaks about Emily which is evolved in the story by showing that as she was growing she had become a changed character by being described as becoming dry and distant. The way Emily is described throughout the passage, she evolves through the eyes of her mother who is telling the story, making her a round character.