The Suffocating Good-Old Days Revealed in Girl Essay

The Suffocating Good-Old Days Revealed in Girl Jamaica Kincaid’s story Girl allows readers a glimpse into the strict, demanding manner in which parents reared their children almost twenty years ago. Through Kincaid’s careful structuring of Girl, readers capture the commanding tone of the story. The relationship between the mother and the girl also reeks of empowerment and distance, as best seen through the girl’s short-lived speech in the story. Most important, Girl shows readers how particular the lessons taught to the children two decades ago were. The mother in Girl expects a great deal of her daughter, and she does not hesitate to let the girl know it. The fact that the two-page-story is entirely one sentence†¦show more content†¦The girl’s comment is truly evidence of the mother’s expectation that her daughter be quiet and listen to the lecture, regardless of whether the girl knows the lessons already. Because the conversation between the mother and daughter is one-sided, it can be concluded that the entire relationship between the two is the same. Undoubtedly, Kincaid’s most startling insight in Girl is the tremendous amount of detailed information the girl is being told. From proper table-setting to correct cooking methods to womanly walking, the girl’s lessons are many and extremely precise. As critic Wendy Dutton proclaims, The reader gets the impression that the story is about a girl who is in training (1173). Many of the phrases the mother spits out at the girl seem silly and unnecessary. The mother, for example, tells the girl this is how you sweep a corner; this is how you sweep a whole house; this is how you sweep a yard (1190). The exactness with which the mother preaches lessons to her daughter gives the impression that children grew up under the direction of a drill sergeant. Clearly, Jamaica Kincaid’s story Girl represents a piece of history steeped in formalities and strictness. Yet, Kincaid’s tale of a mother-daughter everyday conversation suggests two things. Firstly, it would seem thatShow MoreRelatedCritical Review of Rebecca Essay1693 Words   |  7 PagesWith extraordinary scenery, strong symbolism, and plenty of hidden irony, Daphne du Maurier has made an everlasting psychological thriller. In London, on May 13, 1907, Daphne du Maurier was born to Gerald du Maurier and Muriel Beaumont. As a young girl, Daphne grew up around creative thinking. Her grandfather, George du Maurier, was a cartoonist and author. Daphnes own parents, sister and half sister were actors. Although she did not also become an actress, Daphne also contributed to the arts ofRead MoreDescriptive Analysis Of The Rose Garden1916 Words   |  8 Pagesburn me, even as it devoured wood and brush and paint. 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