2 Quotes from Girl

Jamaica Kincaid's "Girl" is full of the Mother's intriguing and polarizing quotes. Kincaid emphasizes separation between the Mother's commands and her advice with a semi-colon. The entire work is basically a list of things that the Mother expects from her daughter, ranging from "don’t walk bare-head in the hot sun" to "on Sundays try to walk like a lady and not like the slut you are so bent on becoming". Her commands lie on certain days whereas her true advice is applicable on any day. I feel like Kincaid is getting at the true meaning behind what raising somebody really means. Barking commands and constantly telling an individual what's right and wrong will only stick with that person for one day. It requires no growth from the Girl if her Mother just tells her what to do. Whereas when given advice, such as covering your head when out in the sun is something that has no meaning if she never experienced the heat. Only if she had been sunburned, does this advice do any good and becomes an impact that lasts forever.

The reason I think these two quotes, in particular, are so polarizing is because of the intent behind the Mother's words. In this first quote I provided, "don’t walk bare-head in the hot sun" is clearly not an admonishment, shown by word choice and tone. The second is a clear example of admonishing, calling your own daughter something a stranger wouldn't: a slut.

What did you guys think about this story? Thanks for reading!

Comments

  1. Rani RamrattanMay 18, 2020 at 3:38 PM

    This is very well written and I can tell a lot of thought was put into it. When I initially read the story I saw the narrators suggestions as direct orders to control her actions but this interpretation shows that not all of them are unreasonable. I think it also shows a way of manipulation mixing in simple suggestions with degrading orders.

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