I Stand Here Ironing

Emily, the protagonist, is a lonely- unappreciated child. Her life and childhood is told by the nameless mother. Emily faces many conflicts but a major conflict she has is her self-esteem. Emily and her mother have always been poor and that makes the social setting. The story is told by the protagonist’s mother making the story into a first person point of view. Susan is a foil character. She is the complete opposite of Emily; therefore they do not get along. When Susan is born Emily becomes very sick and is not allowed to see her mother. This is a great use of irony by the author. It sets motion for the rivalry between the two sisters. No one should underestimate a person. This is the theme of I Stand Here Ironing, by Tillie Olsen.

            Overall it seemed to be a little depressing story. It seems sad how people do not value themselves. Everyone is beautiful and special in their own way. People should learn to appreciate differences.

Everyday Use

Everyday Use is a short story by Alice Walker. Maggie, the protagonist is a shy fearful girl who is always overshadowed by Dee, the antagonist. Maggie is a developing character. She was a fearful little girl who was insecure of herself especially when compared to her sister, but soon was able to look fear in the face a smile a fearless smile. Dee would be a static character. Dee was always seen as beautiful, fearless, and arrogant, and she stays the same throughout the story. Maggie lives in a very rural area and this is the setting of the story. The mother another protagonist faces many conflicts in the story. She struggles with the idea that she is not good enough for her daughter Dee. Being proud of whom you are and where you are from is the theme of the story. Walker uses many metaphors. On page 44 for Maggie is compared to a lame dog. These kind of metaphors enrich the story.

I really enjoyed the story. I was horrified how Dee is ashamed of her family and where she came from. I really enjoyed how the mother stood up for Maggie and realized she was a beautiful girl also. Walker used very powerful language and it took you to their lives. It’s impressive how much knowledge can be seen in such a short story. Maggie will be in my mind for a long time.

The Yellow Wallpaper

The Yellow Wallpaper, a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, is written in first person by the protagonist.  The protagonist faces a conflict with her life in particular with her husband and health. Gilman uses great symbolism with the wallpaper. It is similar to the protagonist’s life.  The nameless protagonist is many times dismissed by her husband a great metaphor with this is on page 64 when he shuts the window and dismisses her worries at the same time. Another great metaphor is when the protagonist describes the garden as a delicious garden. The story was full of sensory elements like when the protagonist elaborately describes the wallpaper. A recurring theme would be the unimportance the protagonist’s husband shows to her. Horror seems to be the type of short story Gilman wrote.

I was very shocked when I reached the end of the story. As it got closer to the end I would get Goosebumps. I felt like screaming for someone to help the poor woman. I would have liked to have seen the wall in person even though it was very well described.

The Doll's House acts II and III

After finishing The Doll House, the true antagonist turned out to be Torvold. Krogstad now seems like another victim trying to make a better life. I have also come to the conclusion that both Mrs. Linde and Dr. Rank are foil characters. Mrs. Linde is the opposite of Nora. Mrs. Linde from the beginning showed her independence. Dr. Rank is the opposite of Torvald. Dr. Rank values love more than he values social status. Nora is a very complex character. She develops tremendously and she comes to realize she was always utilized for appearance. Nora ends the play making a stand for independence. I am pleases with Nora’s decision, and I hope she goes after Dr. Rank, but her decision to leave her children behind seems very cruel. Torvold another complex character loses all he wanted. He does not have control over his wife anymore. In other words he loses his doll. I enjoyed how Krogstad’s character developed. He went from being the antagonist to becoming a possible minor protagonist. Krogstad left behind his blackmailing and decided for true love instead.

All in all I enjoyed the play immensely and I would love to see it performed.

A Doll's House Act 1 Analysis

A Doll's House is meant to be performed. It is a drama.  The characters in act one are Nora Helmer, Torvald Helmer, Dr.Rank, Mrs. Linde, Nils Krogstad. The protagonist is Nora because it looks like her life or way of life will soon change. Nora is a spender and I think through out the play she will learn to control her spending. Another reason Nora is the protagonist is because she is faced with a problem. Of course the problem is caused by the antagonist who is Nils Krogstad. The reason why he is an antagonist is because he is a manipulator and he seems to have been involved a crime. Krogstad also is very mysteries about why or how he knows Mrs. Linde. The foil character, if there is one, would have to be Mrs. Linde. She is the opposite of Nora. Mrs. Linde is not a spender, she had married for convenience and not out of love, and her personality is quite different from Nora's. In the play's first act there is some foreshadowing. Torvald is quite upset with Krogstad because in the past Krogstad forged someones signature. Nora has done the same thing without Torvald knowing and I believe when he does find out it will ruin the way he sees his wife.


It looks like a very interesting story I can not wait to read what happens with the dramas characters.