Research Paper for Writing Class Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

For Writing Class - Research Paper Example It will analyze how Lerner used setting, symbolism, plot, and the characters of the mother and Emily to understand the theme of motherhood as a metaphor for womens multiple roles in a patriarchal culture. Using feminist criticism, the mothers experiences demonstrate that the patriarchal culture of American society have affected her struggles as a mother, which in turn, affected her daughters own struggles as a woman, and yet despite of social impositions, the mother and Emily manage to become independent and to develop their identities. The patriarchal culture shaped socio-economic conditions that made motherhood a personal struggle with conflicting goals. The mere title of the story demonstrates the physical tribulations of motherhood. She is standing, while she irons. Standing can be quite tiring, especially as the heat of the iron spreads around her. Furthermore, ironing is the metonymy of womens domestic duties. Mothers do not only iron, they also cook, do the laundry, take care of the children, clean the house, and at present, they are also forced to earn money, when their husbands are either gone or cannot fully provide for their familys needs. â€Å"Ironing† is a symbol that stands for the rest of multiple duties that mothers have to endure, because society imposes that they alone should be responsible for these domestic duties. Ironing is a symbol for the woman who is an eternal slave of the mans world. Baker argues that economic conditions impact womanhood, especially mothers. Economic conditions ar e not separate spheres from feminist concerns (Baker 655). The mother in the story is compelled to become both a traditional mother and a traditional father. Emilys father left them, because he â€Å"could no longer endure† â€Å"sharing want with [them]† (Lerner). He left her with four children to fend for, and the mother says that it was hard to do that in the