"I Stand Here Ironing"

Robert Coles, in his psychological evaluations of the relationships within Tillie Olsen's short story "I Stand Here Ironing," states that Emily "did not grow to be a mere victim [...] a hopeless tangle of psychopathology" as evidenced by the fact that "The hurt child could summon her intelligence, exercise her will, smile and make others smile" (289). Coles's evaluation of Emily is essentially correct, as he recognizes that Emily rises above her cold, hurtful past to become independent and find her own ways to pursue happiness. However, Emily may not have received enough nurturing as a chid to reach her fullest potential as an adult.
Toward the end of "I Stand Here Ironing," Emily's mother believes Emily has made major strides toward self-fulfillment. "Why were you concerned?" she asks her visitor. "She will find her way" (288). She wants Emily to know "that she is more than this dress on the ironing board, helpless before the iron" (289). Emily has the ability and drive to decide her future for herself.
Nevertheless, Emily's mother doubts that Emily will ever become all that she can be, due to the fact that Emily remained withdrawn for so long. "She kept too much in herself, her life was such that she had to keep too much in herself." She says of her daughter, "She has much to her and probably little will come of it," and concludes, "So all that is in her will not bloom [...] There is still enough to live by" (289). Emily's troubled childhood may keep her from becoming a truly happy adult.
Thus, while Coles is correct in his judgment that Emily can and likely will take charge of her future as an independent adult, he does not recognize that Emily's tendency to withdraw during tense times may hinder her from reaching her fullest potential. The end of this story is bittersweet, as it acknowledges that the absence of proper care during childhood can adversely affect the rest of a person's life, but that even the most severely troubled child can take charge of his/her life and make it whatever they so choose.