Born in Antigua in 1949, Elaine Richardson’s family did not appreciate
her writing talents: “Although her family had high aspirations for her three
brothers and intended them to enter the professions, because [she] was a girl,
they placed no value on her gifts” (Puchner 1724). Unfortunately, in their minds, females were
not as worthy, and her gender would hold her back.
After multiple instances of inequality and unfair experiences, she left
Antigua for America as a teenager. While she was living in the United States,
she changed her name as a sign of independence to Jamaica Kincaid; it was her
way “to do things without being the same person who couldn’t do them – the same
person who had all these weights” (Puchner 1725). By changing her name, she was able to
experience a freedom from past restraints.
In her first published piece “Girl,” Kincaid uses a long, single sentence
to convey her point: “the speaker is a mother giving instructions to her
daughter on the rules and rites of womanhood” (Puchner 1725). Kincaid’s style
gives the impression of a rushed conversation between mother and daughter.
Actually, the daughter only has two lines, so Kincaid ‘s flow shows the mother
spewing advice on her daughter. The daughter, in turn, has very little chance
to respond to the laundry list of expectations.
The mother’s instructions are varied but all represent how to be a proper
woman: “Wash the white clothes on Monday and put them on the stone heap… cook
pumpkin fitters in very hot sweet oil… always eat your food in such a way that
it won’t turn someone else’s stomach” (Kincaid 1725). The list of do’s and
don’ts is overwhelming for any young girl trying to break free
from her strict societal expectations.
Kincaid also uses repetition to get another point across. In doing so, the
mother brings up the same idea three times:
On Sunday, try to walk like a lady and not like the slut you are so bent
on becoming…
This is how to hem a dress when you see the hem coming down and so to
prevent yourself from looking like the slut I know you are so bent on becoming…
This is how to behave in the presence of men who don’t know you very
well, and this way they won’t recognize immediately the slut I have warned you
against becoming. (Kincaid 1725-1726)
It is clear, unfortunately, the mother
does not have faith the daughter will become a proper woman and conveys that
sentiment to her often. The mother’s language and tone are demeaning and
discouraging.
One issue is ironic, though. Within the long laundry list of instructions,
the mother throws in a bit of unexpected information: “This is how to make
pepper pot; this is how to make a good medicine for a cold; this is how to make
a good medicine to throw away a child before it even becomes a child” (Kincaid
1726). The directive seems wholly out of
place. The mother gives advice on how to make a spicy stew, a quality cold
medicine, and how to get rid of a pregnancy. The information seems odd within
the laundry list of directives and instructional tools, especially since she
does not want her daughter to be labeled a slut. It is rather ironic.
Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl” plays into the
notion of gender inequality and enforcing strict societal expectations for
women. With the mother as the speaker, Kincaid shows that even older women play
into the stereotype. Even within one’s own family, expectations are apparent.
As Kincaid proved, the way she escaped traditional constraints was to escape
her land, her family, her previous identity, and value her talented gifts.
Works
Cited
Kincaid, Jamaica. “Girl.” The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Ed. Martin
Puchner et al. Shorter 3rd ed. Vol. 2. New York: W.W. Norton, 2013. 1725-1726.
Print.
Puchner, Martin, Gen ed. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Shorter
Third ed. Vol. 2. New York: W.W. Norton, 2013. Print.
