Forms of Literature (Keating's Goodreads Discussion forum) discussion

English 4 3A

While evaluating Emily's character, I would focus on demeanor. The way she acts or displays herself in different settings displays what time of a character she is. Emily is rounded when it comes to comical lines or anything to make her joyful. Most of the time though, she is flat, displaying very little to the reader.

When Emily's mother is describing her, it is pretty one-dimensional. It does not show Emily in the kind of good light that you would think most parents would look at their children. When you get deeper into the story, it shows another side to Emily. One that told jokes to make her mother laugh or who lit up on stage. At first you would think that she is just a flat character, but if you really look into what the author is writing, you see another side to Emily, one that through her rough childhood triumphed.

At the beginning of " I Stand Here Ironing" through the mother's point of view Emily is portrayed as a flat character one-dimensional one who doesn't show many traits. She is portrayed as a sad and depressed child throughout most of the story. But as the story continues and develops Emily becomes a round character. She changes into a multi-dimensional character with her comedy, her acting, and her presence on stage making people laugh and happy.

If Emily were to have grown up under better circumstances, such as a more stable household, better education and more money she would have most likely have been a more social individual and happier in general. As explained by the narrator, "Her face is closed and somber...", explaining how she was a very gloomy person. Collaborating with that statement, "She does not smile easily,...", goes further into depth on the description that her environment could've affected her personality and mood. If she was surrounded by more love, wealth and better care she may not have as many woes to follow her shadow. Along with this, her development of comedy would've probably have come at an earlier age as she would be more social and happier, as explained earlier. The only reason to her not developing her act for comedy would be if she grew up in a worse environment, as she may have been even less social, more close minded and gloomier in general.

In the story "I Stand Here Ironing" the way Emily is described by her mother makes Emily seem as a sad isolated child who had a rough child hood growing up and experienced some bumps while maturing. Although as the story progresses, Emily's mom does mention good characteristics that Emily has for example, Emily likes to tell jokes and do stand-up comedy in her older years, and this is where Emily started to open up a little bit and grow into a different person. The story both shows that Emily is both a rounded and a flat character but since most of the story talks about her childhood years more than her older years, that's why the reader gets the idea that Emily is more of a one-dimensional flat character.

Emily's character throughout, "I Stand Here Ironing" by Olsen, is told throughout the eyes of her mother. Emily's character gets layers of persona gets peeled off as the mother grows deeper in her reflection. In the beginning, their is an introduction of Emily as a "beautiful baby," but very soon after the mother describes her with "all the baby loveliness gone." This is a first evident clue to the reader that Emily is rounded with growth and change in perspective. Yet, this is all relativity. This is all said from the mother, which cannot fully express Emily and her actual growth. We simply see growth from the mother's look, but this cannot be full-heartedly reliable. Emily could of been the same from a baby to age two, the mother could of had an internal shift within herself to change the way she see's her daughter. Thus making Emily flat in reality, with no actual growth. Moving past this unavoidable conflict with the verisimilitude offered to the reader on the truth behind Emily, the mother does continue to name countless aspects introduced into Emily's teenage years which would result in some addition of dimension. For example, such as when the mother "[sent] her away to a convalescent home in the country" and "it took... eight months to get her released home." This motherly absence for any child would put some physiological hindrance on the child. She is later described as insecure "about her appearance, thin and dark and foreign," yet their is an inverse personality when she is on stage. "Her rare gift for comedy on the stage that rouses laughter out of the audience so dearly they applaud and applaud and do not want to let her go." This is heavily dimensional, on her attitude from home to out in front of stage, and should less likely be doubtful from the reader on Emily's roundness.

Regarding her past conflicts, Emily is rounded as she grows from her past. Her past shapes her point of view and action as implied by her mother, however the reader's reluctance to accept the narrators take on the story would determine if Emily is indeed flat or round. However, moving past the the question to what degree is Emily's character developed, what about the narrator? I feel the actual concept of Emily is but a detail; the reflections put on Emily is simply an implied development in the mother's thoughts and perspective. Although the story is of Emily, the story revolves around the mother's development which cannot be denied with verisimilitude.

In ¨I stand here ironing¨ Emily is a young girl with many feelings in her heart, she has never told her mother what she feels about her childhood but her mother knows that she is not happy but the mother does not care, she does not do anything for Emily, even to have a talk about their problems. The narrator states ¨She was dark and thin and foreign-looking in a world where the prestige went to blondness and curly hair¨ describing Emily as a sad and dark girl with a consciousness of being blond and pretty. This shows that she is a flat character because the reader can easily recognize how Emily feels towards her life.

The story of "I Stand Here Ironing" I can appreciate how a mother describes the type of life which she give to his daughter with the name Emily. Also the mother describes how is raising his two daughters, but in my opinion little sister of Emily is having more the care of his mother than Emely. Other opinion is Emely was a little girl that had a slightly mentally lawlessness for the arrival of the new baby. After all the time and experiences happened to emily the mother describes how her daughter, was exceeded even entered the comedy and the lonely girl by the experiences that I imagine are traumatic for a child that's more than anything for which she blames herself for not being a good mother. But Emily proved otherwise put his head up and decided to leave the loneliness and sadness aside to live your life with laughter and joy and most important with his mother.

Emily's character in "I Stand Here Ironing" is flat. The only details of her characteristic are given by her mother. A mother who was not always there for her therefore Emily shows little to no emotion towards her. If Emily's character was described by others or by Emily herself we would see a more rounded character. We cannot assume that Emily is always sad because this may only happen when she is around her mother. Her personality may be different depending on her surroundings. This is shown when Emily acts. Her mother said that Emily was unrecognizable to her after a few minutes into her acting.

I think the character "Emily" from the story "I Stand Here Ironing" is a rounded character. Even though, all we can know about her is based in the comments of her mother it has a change during the reading. At the beginning, Emily is described as a beautiful baby, she even refers to her as a miracle. As life goes on and Emily has to be separate of her mother she started to change. As a kid she asked for her mom whenever she had a nightmare. Whenever her mom was not able of providing money for taking care of her, Emily started to live with her grandparents and to a convalescent home. With time Emily change and starts to be more private about her feelings. She focus more in the house than her own school homework. The story of her mom shows the development of the character Emily and even explains the reasons why she has become like this.

The character of Emily throughout the story portrays a little bit of both flat and round. In the most part Emily is seen as a left out child with not much love. The father abandoned her since the beginning so that makes her portray sadness. The mother talked about Emily as if she was a mistake. Emily does not seem to be a happy person until her success in comedy. Once she emerges from the acting/comedy personality her whole life turns around. Now the round part comes in, her life is seen now from a different point of view. Now everyone could see her as a triumph child.

I believe that in “I Stand Here Ironing” Emily is a one-dimensional a flat character in the beginning when she is just helping her mother out. You don’t really know her character just that she is always helping her mother. “I wish you would manage the time to come in and talk with me about your daughter. I’m sure you can help me understand her. She’s a youngster who needs help and whom I’m deeply interested in helping.” Towards the end is when you start seeing a more rounded character. We start to know what she like that she likes comedy and is more of a happy person and likes to engage. “She began to be asked to perform at other high schools, even in colleges, then at city and statewide affairs.” Now she started to be herself and open up and you can see how she really is. Not like in the beginning that she is quite and reserved.

In the story "I Stand Here Ironing", by Tillie Olsen, Emily is first portrayed as a flat-character by her mother. Emily's mother states how once Emily turns two years old "all the baby loveliness was gone". This demonstrates how Emily's mother describes her daughter in the way that she isn't the same person anymore and that she has changed. Later on in the story, Emily's mother starts to explain how Emily starts to have a talent for comedy and how she makes jokes. For example, Emily's mother states, "her rare gift for comedy on the stage that rouses laughter out of the audience so dear they applaud and applaud and do not want to let her go". This shows how her mother starts to think of Emily differently instead of a depressed child that doesn't do anything.

In “I Stand Here Ironing” this story is being told by the perspective of the mother of Emily that her girl had a rough childhood by her working all day and making sacrifices that made her miss certain parts of Emily’s infant life. As the story continue Emily’s mother start to talk about her negatively that she looked the same as her father “walking quick and nervous like her father, looking like her father, thin, and dressed in a shoddy red that yellowed her skin and glared at the pock marks.” But then positively that she also was really great making her laugh with her practical jokes she made those moments special and great that was basically the only quality time they spend. Emily is going both flat and round characters; the round character would be that she helps her mother no matter what is going on because she knows deep on her that her mother loves her and the flat is that is one dimensional how her childhood years were mostly.

While reading the short story "I Stand Here Ironing" and evaluating the character being discussed, Emily, based on the narrators description of her she is quite flat. Throughout the the entire story she is depicted as a child who was depressed, lonely, and in need of attention. There is nothing merely interesting about Emily, until the narrator uncovers an unexpected side to her; comedy.

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 Ironing." In w..."

“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 mother. Emily’s mother always “worked or looked for work” to support her family, but was never truly there for Emily. This explains why Emily’s character is flat in the beginning of the short story. For example, unlike her siblings, Emily never directly protested or rebelled, and when she so badly sought her mother’s attention, she created excuses instead of directly asking for the love and attention she desired. Emily is constantly sick and left neglected by her family and teachers, nevering achieving fulfillment. Then, later on in the story, we finally see Emily transforming into a dynamic character as we learn about the amusing personality Emily has. Readers get to know about the “jokes and riddles” her sister Susan steals from her and “shuggily,” a funny word that Emily invents also used by a sibling. Furthermore, after a school performance, Emily truly becomes a round character by finally achieving an audience’s feedback that’s instantaneously awarded to her. And although at the end, Emily’s mother is still focusing on household chores, rather than paying direct attention to the company around her, we are left with the hope that Emily will prosper.

Throughout the story “I Stand Here Ironing” by Tillie Olsen, Emily is described by her mother portraying her as flat or one dimensional. To evaluate Emily’s character in “I Stand Here Ironing” I would evaluate her characteristics and find out if she's a flat or round character. Emily’s character that is described by her mother is a daughter that is unhappy “she does not smile easily” and I think this changed because her mother would always leave her and didn’t shower her love that the old man said she was missing, “It was only with the others I remembered what he said, so that it was the face of joy, and not of care or tightness or worry I turned to them—but never to Emily.”
Emily is portrayed as a round character because of the description her mother gives of Emily changes throughout the story. For example her mother says “there was non of comedy in her when she came back” home, Emily’s mother didn’t see that funny side of Emily only the sad but later Emily shows her mothers comical side by “Sometimes, to make me laugh, or out of her despair, she would imitate happenings or types at school” and then changing from not excelling in school and not being recognized to being seen, “Emily began to be asked to perform at other high schools, even in colleges, then at city and statewide affairs.”

Mariafernanda wrote: "In ¨I stand here ironing¨ Emily is a young girl with many feelings in her heart, she has never told her mother what she feels about her childhood but her mother knows that she is not happy but the ..."
I think your statement is true that Emily's mother does not care for Emily even though she knows how Emily feels and that Emily is portrayed as sad.

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 mother. Emily’s m..."
Li-Yuen, your prospective of Emily is right of Emily changing into a dynamic character when she starts expressing her comical side and becomes a round character when Emily goes on stage and performs.

Emily is a rounded character. The mother's view and thoughts on her daughter say a lot about her character. Throughout the story, Emily undergoes a number of changes that contribute to the overall development of her character. The reader is able to know Emily's physical attributes as well as an emotional aspect of her character. For example, the narrator talks about how Emily was a beautiful baby, then a dark child with low self esteem, and finally an individual who is bright and talented. The changes that Emily experiences show how she is a protagonist in the story. Her character grows extensively through the story both physically and emotionally. Therefore, it is evident that she is a round character.

Mareke wrote: "While evaluating Emily's character, I would focus on demeanor. The way she acts or displays herself in different settings displays what time of a character she is. Emily is rounded when it comes to..."

Not sure if this is how to respond, but I would agree that sometimes she may seem like a flat character, although I would probably deem her personality as flat, at least for a period in her life, and not her character itself.

Jesus wrote: "In the story "I Stand Here Ironing", by Tillie Olsen, Emily is first portrayed as a flat-character by her mother. Emily's mother states how once Emily turns two years old "all the baby loveliness w..."

Emily's mom describes her daughter when she was young very boringly. I think it was all part of Emily's character development though, showing how she grew into a confident individual. I would argue that her character was thoroughly round throughout the entire story.

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 Ironing." In w..."
In As I stand here Ironing, Emily is portrayed both as a flat and rounded character. When her mother is describing her she is merely seen as a flat character, because we only knows what she looks like, but when little pieces of her character come up she starts to become a rounded character. When Emily's mom states that she told jokes and was in the stage that she barely recognized her, it makes us see Emily as more than the girl her mother describes it shows us that she did have a rough upbringing but she got past that and was more than her childhood or her insecurities. We see that she has personality she becomes someone that you and me can relate to, and changes how we see her.

When evaluating Emily’s character, I considered her to be a rounded character because throughout the story she undergoes development and towards the end of the story she surprises the reader. For example, in most of the story the narrator describes Emily to be somber and have a low self-esteem, ultimately the narrator describes Emily as a sensitive and thoughtful individual. At the end of the story, when the narrator mentions: “Was this Emily? the control, the command, the convulsing and deadly clowning…” surprises the reader since Emily grew up self-loathing herself, had turned into a woman embracing her “gift”.

I would say that Emily’s character in, “Here I Stand Ironing” is a combination of a flat character, and also a rounded one. As you read the story, you realize that the majority of what is told about Emily is through the narrator’s perspective who is also portrayed as her mother. The reason I would say Emily’s character is flat primarily having to do with the fact that there is really no insight from Emily herself in the story. What I mean by that is as I mentioned the story is completely in her mother’s point of view, so whatever we learn about Emily is limited to what the narrator tells us about her. We don’t really get an idea on how Emily truly feels in the story, or what she’s thinking about. That I would say is a reason why she would be considered one-dimensional.
With that being said, she is also a rounded character due to the fact the narrator describes her changes in bearing as time progresses in the story. At first, the narrator describes her daughter as a “beautiful baby” who “loved motion, loved light, loved color and music and textures.” This gives the reader an idea on how Emily was at the start of the story, a very joyful and loving baby. As the story goes on, the narrator describes the conflict she has, and how this had a rather negative impact on Emily growing up. She was described in pretty depressing way to the point where the narrator said her face was, “closed and somber.” This was usually the constant theme in the story on how Emily had a pretty rough childhood growing up due to her mother tending to other matters, but that again is changed. As you continue reading the story, you find that Emily has a talent for comedy, and how she enjoys telling jokes and so on.
At first it may seem that Emily is a flat character completely, but if you read the story more thoughtfully and such, you see the development that occurs through what is being said about her by her mother. The joyful and loving baby, to a very somber and closed child, and now a humorous and talented performer. Although, I still would say her character is limited due to not having any insight on how Emily feels and such in the story.

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 as a depressed human being. Throughout the story, her mother constantly gives descriptions as such of her daughter, showing how there is little to no change in Emily's personality and attitude. However, towards the end of the story, Emily becomes a more lively character when she starts displaying her entertainment abilities through acting and joking on stage. Therefore, becoming a round character due to the unexpected change in her portrayal.

"I Stand Here Ironing," by Tillie O. describes the perspective Emily's mother has of Emily. At the beginning of the story Emily's character can be said to be one of a flat character. Emily seems to be bothered as her mother tried to establish a conversation with her. Emily was not satisfied with her phenotypes, an ideal girl her age was blonde, with curls and freckles. To her “disgrace” she did not fit into the ideal outline. This made her feel vulnerable for that “terrible world of youthful competition.” It gives us a great example of a flat-character which is not very interesting and can be described with couple of words: unsatisfied, complicated and anonymous. Complicated, As Emily's mother says in the story "I get up and go to her at her moan or restless stirring" she'd ask if she could do something for her, but the answer was always the same “No, I’m all right, go back to sleep Mother.” Towards the conclusion of the story we see Emily unravel and turn into something her mother had not seen she was surprised “was this Emily? The command…. convulsing and deadly clowning.” Joking in stage making multitudes laugh Something she had not witnessed.

Brandon wrote: "If Emily were to have grown up under better circumstances, such as a more stable household, better education and more money she would have most likely have been a more social individual and happier..."

I agree with your point. If Emily had indeed grown up in a different manner then she probably would've had a more positive attitude and outlook on life. Rather than be the "somber" persona she is depicted as.

Miguel wrote: "The character of Emily throughout the story portrays a little bit of both flat and round. In the most part Emily is seen as a left out child with not much love. The father abandoned her since the b..."

I agree with your point of view. Emily indeed changed with time, based on her performances, but we can see also how she was a miracle for her mom and change to become a struggle for her. We can create a contrast of the development of Emily as a child and adolescent.

Alvaro wrote: "Emily is a rounded character. The mother's view and thoughts on her daughter say a lot about her character. Throughout the story, Emily undergoes a number of changes that contribute to the overall ..."
I agree that Emily is clearly a round character when bunching all the facts about her. However, taking the whole story in account, we know only what the mother sees in her and not Emily's actual take on things. For this reason, we do not actually know if Emily has taken her past experiences and indeed use them to allow her to grow. Assuming every character is flat in the beginning and allowing layers of information to round them, in this case we would not have any reliable information to say, yes, she is round and has grown in insights.

Jesus wrote: "In the story "I Stand Here Ironing", by Tillie Olsen, Emily is first portrayed as a flat-character by her mother. Emily's mother states how once Emily turns two years old "all the baby loveliness w..."

I agree with your point of view. The mother does portray Emily as a flat character in the beginning. Emily's mother point of view does change after Emily makes people laugh with her acting and comedy, which the audience keeps applauding and applauding.

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 ..."

I agree Emily's mother does characterize her as a depressed child through most of the story. The mother does describe little change in Emily's personality. Which Emily in the end does transforms into a round character.

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 ..."

I agree that Emily's character shifted from flat to round as we learned about her inner comedian. I didn't think that she would change so drastically, so, to me, it was also a surprise.

Eunice wrote: "Throughout the story “I Stand Here Ironing” by Tillie Olsen, Emily is described by her mother portraying her as flat or one dimensional. To evaluate Emily’s character in “I Stand Here Ironing” I wo..."

I agree that Emily's character was both flat and round throughout the story, and would also say, that Emily's mother limited the reader's knowledge of Emily's character. Because of this, we must find out Emily's true personality through the memories of her mother-for example, the first time Emily became "somebody."

Arely wrote: "When evaluating Emily’s character, I considered her to be a rounded character because throughout the story she undergoes development and towards the end of the story she surprises the reader. For e..."

I do agree with your evaluation. Emily is indeed a round character due to the surprise the reader encounters towards the end of the story when she embraces her comical side.

in the story i stand here ironing emily is made to look as a sad & depressed because of her mom's decisions but towards the end of the story emily turns into a more complex character than what the story led her to be. emily started show how she would have an incredible talent to make people laugh and forget their pains

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 ..."

I agree with you Leslie, in that Emily is first a flat character and later on in the story she turns into a round character.

Eunice wrote: "Throughout the story “I Stand Here Ironing” by Tillie Olsen, Emily is described by her mother portraying her as flat or one dimensional. To evaluate Emily’s character in “I Stand Here Ironing” I wo..."

I agree with you Eunice, in the fact that Emily's mother didn't really see Emily's comical side until later in the story and noticed how it was he gift and that she changed from a depressed person to a person that makes people laugh.

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 ..."

I agree with Leslie at first Emily is more of a flat character because she is quite and doesn't really expose how she really is. At the end she start to be her self and she all smiling and even doing comedy.

Traci wrote: "When Emily's mother is describing her, it is pretty one-dimensional. It does not show Emily in the kind of good light that you would think most parents would look at their children. When you get de..."

I agree with Tarci that Emily at first is a flat dimensional her mother describes her as quite. "I wish you would manage the time to come in and talk with me about your daughter. I’m sure you can help me understand her." At the end you see Emily more expressive not like in the beginning.

LUPITA wrote: "In the story "I Stand Here Ironing" the way Emily is described by her mother makes Emily seem as a sad isolated child who had a rough child hood growing up and experienced some bumps while maturing..."

I agree with your point of view Miss. Jennifer.I liked the way you as described so essentially the most interesting points that stand in the life of Emily.

Eunice wrote: "Throughout the story “I Stand Here Ironing” by Tillie Olsen, Emily is described by her mother portraying her as flat or one dimensional. To evaluate Emily’s character in “I Stand Here Ironing” I wo..."

I agree with Eunice , that Emily's mother didn't show her that love that she needed because in the beginning of the story is told that she had to leave her baby girl with the neighbor ."When she was eight months old, I had to leave her daytime's with the woman downstairs to whom she was no miracle at all, for I worked or looked for work and for Emily’s father, who “could no longer endure” (he wrote in his goodbye note) “sharing want with us.” It was difficult for Emily's mother to take care of her because she had to work in order to support her child that made her do sacrifices. Emily's child hood wasn't the perfect one too but it does have a round character by the way her mother changes with in the story as Eunice also states that Emily wasn't the funniest but that she "sometimes, to make me laugh , or out of her despair , she would imitate happening or types at school" there it was when Emily also made her self know.

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 ..."

Mr. Jose how to explain this I try to assimilate your point of view in order to understand, but after a little more time assimilate your view. what i can say i don't not support some parts of your comment. Example "words: unsatisfied, complicated", also remember is just mi point of view.

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 one of [their] five that was beautiful at birth," portrays emily as a flat character, with only one dimension, for emily is just an infant who is barely being discussed aside from her physical appearance. However as the story progresses, the hardships that the family has to endure, transform emily into someone who is "thin and dark and foreign‐looking," leading her to be reserved and "over-conscientious". These characteristics lead the reader to believe Emily's character is more rounded than flat, as her character develops acquiring yet another dimension. In addition, the part of the story in which the author can make a final conclusion on the type of development a character shows is at the peak of the story. For instance, in this short story the final variable to determine Emily as a round character was the revelation of her "rare gift for comedy." Throughout the story, we can see through the mother's eyes the kind of character that emily is, however, when her somberness and antisocial personality is exchanged for her comedian persona, it gives the reader the certainty that Emily is a complex character.

Uzi wrote: "Emily's character in "I Stand Here Ironing" is flat. The only details of her characteristic are given by her mother. A mother who was not always tithe thought of Emily behaving as she does were for her therefore Emily shows little to no emo..."

Uzi, I strongly agree with your point that maybe Emily is not the girl that is described by her mother in this story, perhaps she only behaves such way when her mother is around. Possibly her mother was struck by this idea when she saw Emily perform on stage. Maybe not.

In "I Stand Here Ironing" i believe that Emily's character is displayed as being flat. Reason is because, the story is told from the mothers point of view. The mother is the one relaying the story and we are really only getting one side of the story, We dont get to see much of Emily's point of view. So we are led to believe what we are reading, when there just might be more to it. To describe Emily in the story, we view Emily as one who had a rough childhood, and not very happy. When, little may we know, Emily could have been happy and just not show it, or satisfied with her life. I feel the mother is being a bit harsh on herself feeling like she did something wrong or she could've done more.

Uzi wrote: "Emily's character in "I Stand Here Ironing" is flat. The only details of her characteristic are given by her mother. A mother who was not always there for her therefore Emily shows little to no emo..."

I agree with Uzi because she stands out the point that the story is being told by the mother's perspective and how when she stands there ironing throughout the nights which is a flat character. But as Uzi said if it would of been told by someone else it could've been a round character because it would've surprise us in how they change throughout the story.As per that its being said that “her mother said that Emily was unrecognizable to her after few minutes onto her acting” Making it seem that she still didn't finish knowing her own child after all those years.

LUPITA wrote: "In the story "I Stand Here Ironing" the way Emily is described by her mother makes Emily seem as a sad isolated child who had a rough child hood growing up and experienced some bumps while maturing..."
I agree with you! I too thought that she was both round and flat throughout the story but she was portrayed more as a flat character in my opinion. I think that this was because the story was told from the mother's point of view only.

Clarisa wrote: "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", char..."
this is definitely true, because as the story progresses so do the layers or dimensions of Emily's character