I come from a Caribbean/west Indian culture similar to the character in Girl. The person speaking to her with such wisdom, but sternness has to be her mother, grandmother, aunt, or dominant female relation. The main speaker is giving advice on how to be a girl. What to do and not to do. The girl only responds twice about her not singing benna which is considered vulgar. She also asks what if the baker say she cannot squeeze the bread. Like a docile island girl, she understands she is to be seen and not heard. Brings back a lot of memories. ( )

I feel like I read this in high school or even college. It's actually a sad short piece about survival that really reflects on society at the time. How to cook, clean, host, and deal with a man. Also, lets not forget the home remedies to have an abortion. ( )

Not rating this yet. Read it today from a Norton Anthology I recently picked up, but I'm not really sure about it. There's no context given with it and I feel like I need some before I try to judge it. I think I can analyse it a bit, but still want something more to think about before doing a reread.

A paragraph long, single sentence that showcases a conversation (more like a dictatorship) between a mother and her daughter. In this short story -that takes one full page- the mother is telling her daughter, relentlessly, the correct and incorrect ways to do everything; from house chores, to cooking, to how to take care of men, etc.

Most importantly, the mother keeps telling her daughter how not to be "the slut she is so hell bent on becoming." Even though there is no prove what so ever that the daughter has disrespected her mother or her upbringing in any way. ( )

Jamaica Kincaid's "Girl" is a shocking, yet blunt glimpse into the nature of sexism and the female role in society. Because the story is completely told in second person, it makes a much greater impact. The audience experiences what the Girl hears, which is pretty much a verbal beating by her mother. She is constantly abused; her mother calls her a "slut" repeatedly, as well as being berated about singing. The Girl learns how to be a good housewife and a good cook. She hears the proper ways to clean, and the proper way to salt fish. Every detail of domestic duty is imprinted into her mind.

I find that this story is very impactful, especially for women. It's angering to hear about social conformity among females. The cherry on top is when we realize that she does all of this in order to find and keep a husband. "Girl" is a refreshing and different story that everybody should read at least once.