Question

Do you think Emily’s mother in “I Stand Here Ironing” is a reliable narrator? In a paragraph of 100 words, explain your answer using at least two examples from the story to support your viewpoint.

Answer 1

Answer: After reading the short story "I Stand Here Ironing," I do believe that Emily's mother is a reliable narrator, because of several different things that she states to the person that the school sent.

Emily's mother can speak of the things that Emily experienced as a child and let the person she is speaking to understand more about Emily and the way that she is. She obviously can't speak for Emily or even tell the person from the school what Emily herself is thinking, but is useful in helping see how Emily herself has been treated by her family.

In the story, the mother states that Emily had to leave the family after the birth of her sister because Emily had contracted red measles and could not see her mother or sister for a couple of weeks. Emily had already suffered from her father leaving, her family suffering from money problems, and being alone before the birth of her sister since the mother had to work to support the family. This begins the part of the story about how the measles left Emily sickly and had lost a lot of weight. Since her mother was not there to comfort her when she was sick, she no longer wanted her mother to comfort her, after this period. Emily had to be sent away again to regain her health but never did fully recover. The mother states in the story that the convalescent home Emily went too was not good, and Emily never regained the weight since the food was bad, she got to come home after 8 months. After returning, Emily no longer wanted to attend school and become reclusive.

The mother is the only person who can relate these things from Emily's life to the person from the school. This can help the school to understand why Emily may be having issues with school work or problems with others.