I Stand Here Ironing
Tilly Olsen
Discussion Questions 20-1
1.
Describe the narrator using as much detail as you can.
I would believe her to be an old white lady, living in America, she has had a
tough life and money has never been easy for them. She is divorced from her
first husband and has multiple children.
2.
In your opinion, is the narrator speaking to someone in
particular, or to herself? Give evidence
from the story to support your answer. I would believe she is speaking someone,
she says she wants her daughter to know she loves her, and that she wishes
things had been different. She also directly addresses the audience by asking a
question early on.
3.
What things are important to the narrator? Her
children, being a good mother.
4.
What people/events/things are responsible for Emily’s
failings? Her mother for not having time for her and sending her to places she doesn’t
want to go to, her sister for growing faster and being more popular than her. Her
father for divorcing her mother. Her parents for moving around a lot and
sending her to the boarding school.
5.
The image of the iron is repeated numerous times,
telling the reader that it is an important symbol. List all of the things that you think it
MIGHT be a symbol for, and choose ONE that you think is most likely, and
explain it in detail. (Note - marks will be given for evidence of thought, not
necessarily for being right) It could be a metaphor for the fact that the
mother is always working and doesn’t have time for her daughter. That’s the
only one I can think of and I think it fits well.
No comments:
Post a Comment