Everyday Use by Alice Walker and I Stand Here Ironing by Tillie Olsen

Question:

"Everyday Use," and "I Stand Here Ironing," both deal with the general idea of the family. Examine what each story suggests about family values, and write an essay that explains the similarities and differences you find, and relate these findings to your own idea of "family."

Answer:

The concept of family takes on different forms, from the literal genetic relation to the occasional blood oath between companions. In the stories “Everyday Use” and “I Stand Here Ironing,” there is an obvious shared expression of family, but the instances of the concept and emotional connotation are distinct. In both the stories, the families mentioned are under a certain oppression. For example, in “I Stand Here Ironing,” there is a financial burden. The mother is “without money” and “[couldn’t] hold a job.” And throughout “Everyday Use” there is the subtle racial oppression with the author’s including statements like “colored asked [few] questions.” In both cases, families, no matter what type, are alike that they suffer and prosper together. Moreover, there is the common concept of ‘Mother and Daughter’ issues in the stories. “I Stand Here Ironing” conveys that the mother feels she did not do enough for her daughter, consumed by the constant thought of “what should have been” and what she “did not do.” While in “Everyday Use,” it is the daughter who feels the mother did not do enough for her, such as when she did not buy her the “yellow organdy dress” she wanted for “graduation.” Both these thoughts of regret lead to a hindrance between mother and daughter, however in “Everyday Use” there is more severity. Dee is linked to the family by the biological relation, but rejects her culture and even her birth name, preferring to be called “Wangero.” She sees things differently from her mom and little sister. For example, she sees a quilt made for everyday use as a wall decoration instead. This hindrance causes less emotional attachment from a lack of shared perspective, and may even cause the mother to see the little sister more as family than Dee. Contrasting, in “I Stand Here Ironing,” the mother and daughter struggle together in emotional pain from their past but they keep a stronger involvement in the emotional connotation of family.

Although genetics is a good way to keep family members obligated to each other, the actual concept of family should go beyond just literal genes. Family should lean towards more commitment and emotional connection, rather than an obligated love due to similar genetic makeup. So in the stories of “Everyday Use” and “I Stand Here Ironing” although there is the general idea of “family,” it’s really based on how the relationship is held together by emotional commitment and pursuit of support.