Girl - Jamaica Kincaid

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Author: Jamaica Kincaid

Genre: Short Story, Feminism
Rating: 4.25 stars.

A short (and I mean: really, really short!) story written by Antiguan-American writer Jamaica Kincaid. But this tiny read packs a powerful punch!

This little tale isn’t in the traditional story format but more like a dictatorial poem. It contains a long list of commands from a domineering mom to her daughter, all mandatory to ensure that the daughter doesn’t become “the slut I know you are so bent on becoming.” Needless to say, the list includes wonderful, practical suggestions (*cough, cough*) such as how to wash clothes or smile politely at someone you don’t like or walk like a lady.

The writing style is what elevates this little story from good to great. The whole story is written in a single paragraph, with each order being separated by a semicolon. Almost the entire writing is in the second person, directed from the mother to the daughter. There are just two first person statements when the daughter manages to get a word in the conversation, these being written in italics. The last sentence delivers the perfect ending!

Recommended if you are looking for an unusual story tackling the usual issue of how women “must” fit into society, and how this restrictive social conditioning begins at home.

This story was originally published in the June 26, 1978 issue of The New Yorker, and I read it from the archives of the magazine using THIS LINK.

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