Tillie Olsen's story "I Stand Here Ironing" would be much different indeed if it were told from Emily's point of view. Let's brainstorm some ways you can rewrite part of the story to let Emily herself speak.

Your first step in this assignment is to choose a section of the story to focus on. You might choose to concentrate on Emily's experiences after her mother's remarriage. Emily must stay home alone, and she is often scared. Then when her mother gives birth to her little sister, Emily again finds herself alone and sick with the measles. She is often plagued with nightmares. You could express the girl's terrors and feelings of neglect.

Alternatively, you could zoom in on Emily's experiences at the convalescent home. These are almost torture for a sensitive child like Emily, who has little to no contact with her mother and is almost completely isolated. If you choose this section, also discuss why Emily is stiff with her mother and jealous of her sister when she returns home.

Finally, you could choose Emily's winning of the school amateur show and her discovery of comedy. Here is a good opportunity to show how the girl's personality changes because of her newly discovered talent. Emily finds a comfort and a delight in her performances.

Remember, as you write, to narrate in Emily's voice and thoroughly express her emotions. If, for instance, you select the second option above, you might start out with something like "I never did understand why my mother sent me away to that horrible place where I lived almost completely by myself for eight whole months."