Table of Contents
Summary
“It was the pre-relief, pre-WPA world of the depression”. The story begins with a mother ironing. Her daughter, Emily, is said to need help but her mom doesn’t believe she needs any, questioning “Who needs help”. The mother “worked or looked for work”, leaving her eight month old daughter with a woman whom “was no miracle”. Emily is then sent to a “convalescent home” where she will be cared for so her mother can “concentrate on the new baby”.
After eight months, Emily finally returns home. There was a boy she desperately loved, taking “pennies” from her mother’s purse to satisfy him with licorice. During the “War years”, Emily had to help be a “mother, and housekeeper, and shopper.” Emily would imitate happenings at her school, leading her to become a performer, who made her feel like “Somebody”.
Reflection
By reading this story, it is very obvious to me that Emily’s family faces poverty. Because her mother had to constantly work to maintain the family, she wasn’t part of Emily’s younger life, sending her away due to economic reasons. From my point of view, the mother did what was necessary in order to keep her daughter alive. What I noticed throughout the story is that Emily is very obedient.
Even though Emily didn’t like school, she attended either way, without any form of rebellion. The fact that Emily had to steal “pennies” really shows how poor the family is. When the war years begin, I realized that Emily was forced to mature much faster than intended. She had to help her mother with the many responsibilities. I feel that Emily performing really worried her mom, as she was in a “spell” while doing so.
