IndexIntroductionThe mother-daughter relationships in "Everyday Use" and "I Stand Here Ironing"ConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionIn the stories "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker and " I Stand Here Ironing" by Tillie Olsen, both narratives delve into the theme of maternal guilt and its impact on their daughters' lives. These mothers express self-criticism and anguish over the path taken by their children. In "I Stand Here Ironing", the focus is on the narrator's daughter, Emily, while in "Everyday Use" the two daughters are Maggie and Dee. These stories highlight the multiple challenges related to maternal guilt and its potential consequences on their children's future. Although neither mother explicitly admits to feeling guilty, their actions and thoughts, such as Dee's desire to reclaim the quilts in "Everyday Use," reveal their inner turmoil. In “I Stand Here Ironing,” the mother candidly explores her feelings of guilt towards Emily, delving into her perceived inadequacies as a parent. Both stories share striking similarities and differences in how these mothers raised their daughters. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Mother-Daughter Relationships in “Everyday Use” and “I Stand Here Ironing” The central theme of motherhood is featured prominently in both narratives. In “I Stand Here Ironing,” the mother grapples with guilt stemming from her decision to leave her children in suboptimal care while she worked to support her family. Sibling dynamics also play a significant role in both stories. In "Everyday Use", Dee's change in appearance upon her return creates tension between her and Maggie, who is not used to her sister's new persona. Following the dispute over the quilts, Dee admonishes Maggie, saying, "You should try to make something too, Maggie. It's really a new day for us. But the way you and Mommy still live, you'd never know it." it" (Walker 10382). Furthermore, both narratives feature mothers comparing their daughters to each other. In "Everyday Use", the mother highlights the physical differences between Maggie and Dee, while in "I Stand Here Ironing", the mother compares Emily's characteristics to social ideals as a common thread; both Maggie and Emily face physical challenges serves as a symbol of the mother's incessant struggle to provide for her children. She associates the folds of clothes with the hardships she has endured. She poignantly expresses: "I stand here ironing, and what you ask of me moves tormentedly back and forth with the. iron" (Olsen 9850). Similarly, in "Everyday Use," the quilt symbolizes heritage and conflict resolution. Passed down from generation to generation, quilts have significant cultural value. The theme that permeates both stories is that of motherhood, which includes the desire to provide one's children with everything they need, to instill respect for elders, and to promote self-respect in the next generation. In both tales, the two mothers face the challenges of making ends meet while trying to meet the social expectations of motherhood. The role of a mother is undeniably challenging, especially when caring for children with disabilities. Despite their poverty-stricken circumstances, both mothers undergo profound transformations in their understanding of motherhood. Their respective daughters represent stark opposites, with one conforming to the,, 23(1), 7-13.