I Stand Here Ironing Character Analysis: The Impatient Emily

Within Tillie Olsen’s “I Stand Here Ironing” story, Emily comes out as an impatient character; Emily is unable to put up with certain situations. For instance, after Susan loses and damages Emily’s collectibles, Emily permanently hates Susan. In addition, after being rejected by one boy, Emily concludes that no one will ever love her. Further, Emily complains about the mother’s frequent ironing activities. This essay analyses “I Stand Here Ironing” to highlight Emily’s impatient personality in light of the following behaviors: after Susan loses and damages Emily’s collectibles, Emily permanently hates Susan; after being rejected by one boy, Emily concludes that no one will ever love her; and Emily complains about the mother’s frequent ironing activities.

Given that, after Susan loses and damages Emily’s collectibles, Emily permanently hates Susan, it is clear that Emily is an impatient character. In this regard, during her childhood, Susan has the habit of taking an interest in Emily’s collectibles. Considering that she is only a child, Susan breaks or loses some of these collectibles. In response to the loss or breakage of her collectibles, Emily develops permanent hatred for Susan (Olsen, n.d., p. 296). While appraising this scenario, a reader would reasonably hold that Emily is an impatient character. Such impatience prevents Emily from recognizing that Susan is only a child and does thus not cause these problems willingly. Such considerate stance would cause Emily to bear with Susan. Given that she does not illustrate such forbearance, Emily highlights her impatient personality.

After being rejected by one boy, Emily concludes that no one will ever love her, thus further illustrating her impatience. With reference to this experience, Emily laments that she stole some money from the mother’s purse to buy sweets for this beloved boy. Despite this demonstration of love and consideration, this boy prefers another girl to Emily. Due to the disappointment she suffers, Emily woefully declares that no one will ever lover her (p. 295). Here, Emily highlights her impatient personality. Thanks to such impatience, Emily fails to acknowledge that she could try to attract this boy using another tactic. Moreover, Emily fails to recognize that this boy is only one among many; Emily can find love from another boy. This analysis, illustrates that Emily is an impatient character.

Considering that Emily complains about the mother’s frequent ironing activities, Emily’s impatience is evident. To this end, Emily comes home from school and finds the mother ironing some clothes. Instead of greeting the mother, Emily wonders whether the mother will ever stop ironing. Emily laments that, due to the mother’s frequent ironing activities, Emily would find it difficult to come up with an appropriate subject for her school painting project. Emily fears that she may be forced to create a painting that depicts her mother performing ironing activities (p. 295). Through these remarks, Emily illustrates that she is unable to put up with the mother’s frequent ironing activities. Emily is thus an impatient character.

In conclusion, within “I Stand Here Ironing”, Emily has an impatient personality. On this note, after Susan loses and damages Emily’s collectibles, Emily permanently hates Susan. Moreover, after being rejected by one boy, Emily concludes that no one will ever love her. Further, Emily complains about the mother’s frequent ironing activities. It would be prudent to investigate what prompted Olsen to focus on the theme of impatience.