"Girl" is a short fiction story written by the Antiguan-American
author Jamaica Kincaid. It is based on the authors life experience with her
mother. Throughout the story the mother naggingly teaches her daughter how to
behave and what to do in order to become a "respectable" woman in society.
The story is written in a Peculiar way, it seems more like a monologue than a
story, the mother speaks all the way while the daughter can only manage to say
two sentences. This makes the reader feel irritated as the daughter must feel. It
points out the relationship between gender roles and social acceptance.
In my
experience living in a relatively modern Caribbean island there are still a few
noticeable gender roles that are still taught. Women are mainly in charge of
the household, but are expected to be well educated and as professional as
possible. Men are still supposed to be the "strong ones" but work is
slightly more important than studies. In both genders it is expected to have a
spouse and create a family by the age of
25-30. As a child I was taught how to manage a household, I had house related
chores that I had to comply with, my brother on the other hand had less chores
and was not punished as severely as I was if he skipped them. Many times I felt
angry and jealous of him because of this. Now that I am older I choose when and
what chores to do. I help in the household as much as I can but I prefer to
focus on my studies.
http://www.slideserve.com/dyanne/girl-jamaica-kincaid
I like this: "my brother on the other hand had less chores and was not punished as severely as I was if he skipped them."
ReplyDeleteI like your point of view.
When I was reading I was thinking in my family because, in my house I have a similar situation.
I would like to hear more about what type of chores each member are supposed to do according to society.
Also I will like to hear more about the esteriotypes of Puerto Rico.
Nasherine Flores
Like your point about the roles that our country still have. Right now the women in Puerto Rico is getting more skills to have a job. Really appreciate that you share your experience that support your point of view. Need to say that almost all of us want to focus on the studies but also it's necessary to focus in the different duties of the house.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think that your brother wasn't punished? I liked when you mentioned that we still have gender role because thats a things that many persons really ignore. I would like to hear more about how gender roles in our society right now. I really liked how you used an example of yourself to explain how we still have noticeable gender roles. As I was reading this post I could identify myself and started to think about the gender roles when my grandmother was young and my mom. I like the that you are very firm when you say that you prefer to focus on your studies but anyways you would help with the chores
ReplyDelete