In addition to the fact that Jamaica Kincaid’s short story “Girl” consists of one sentence, the reader should never forget about the number of lessons the author tries to share. This narrative presents the evaluation of multiple issues that fulfill human life and the life of young girls in particular. In their analysis, Rabea and Almahameed suggest reading it not as a short story but as a prose poem due to the use of evident literary devices like repetition, alliteration, and cacophony (165). This recommendation facilitates an understanding of the use of “I” in the text and the power of the chosen social commentary like domesticity. “Girl” is not just a list of instructions but a story with two characters, unique themes, and a message about mother-daughter relationships and the necessity to take responsibility for domestic knowledge from a personal perspective.
In her work, Kincaid raises a number of central themes like female reputation, domesticity, and relationships between generations. The choice of “I” narrative plays a vital role as the author wants to underline the importance of personal experience and knowledge in the story. The phrases “I know” and “I have warned you” symbolize the intention of the mother to remain a part of the daughter’s life (Kincaid). The representation of two main (and the only) female characters is an element of fiction with the help of which the author promotes the idea of domesticity. “The presence of men” cannot be ignored, but it has nothing in common with domestic duties (Kincaid). Women become the participants of different social relationships where inequalities challenge people. The story prevents wrong decision-making and helps the girl identify the best options for her life.
Works Cited
Kincaid, Jamaica. “Girl.” The New Yorker, 1978.
Rabea, Reem Ahmad, and Nusaiba Adel Almahameed. “Genre Crossing in Jamaica Kincaid’s ‘Girl’: From Short Fiction to Poetry.” Advances in Language and Literary Studies, vol. 9, no. 3, 2018, pp. 157-165.