“Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid: The Role of Society in Raising a Child Essay

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Introduction

Participating in this course has enabled me to learn how resilient I am. Considering writing was difficult for me, I was afraid and nervous when I registered for this course. Furthermore, it was challenging for me to pick up wherever I left off with my high school writing abilities. My high school English instructor created in me a fear of writing, which did not assist my nervousness. Nevertheless, I developed my resilience and was able to face the course head-on, recover from any failures, and have the highest chance of success. As opposed to what I had expected, I discovered that the lecturer and the curriculum were not at all daunting. Further, the professor assisted me in developing my writing abilities, and the course material was engaging and thought-provoking.

My Learning Style, Strength, and Weakness

I discovered that my learning is best suited to an auditory style. Instead of reading the content, I find it more effective to listen to lectures, read aloud text, or listen to audiobooks. Moreover, I can comprehend the material, which aids in my processing and retention. The Zoom meetings were helpful since I could discuss the topics discussed and ask any questions I had. Creativity was of the utmost importance throughout the training and developed into my strength. In addition, I have always used original thinking to create works that would capture readers’ attention and compel them to read more of my writing. Changing nouns into verbs and verbs into nouns was one of my primary weaknesses. However, with consistent effort, I overcame the obstacle and advanced my writing abilities.

How “Girl” By Jamaica Kincaid Affected Me

The story “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid focuses on a young girl as she transitions from childhood to adulthood. Her mother teaches her ways to be a good and devout woman. The mother thinks that the girl can only be saved from a promiscuous lifestyle by her. This piece of writing reminds me of how mothers treat their children with the tough love and care they deserve. Moreover, “Girl” makes me think about mother-daughter relationships and how women should act sensibly. The reason “Girl” caught my attention, and I decided to choose it, was that it offers a glimpse into a girl’s connection with her mother and the influence of family, society, or community on one’s identity and conduct. Kincaid’s work shows the importance of families in sustaining social problems for the next generation.

The family offers a social setting that fosters kids because it is the fundamental social unit. The mother and daughter’s interaction is a metaphor for the family in the short narrative. In turn, this family stands in for a community and society that forces children to conform to sexist or discriminatory laws and societal norms. The mother tells the girl, “Don’t squat down to play marbles – you are not a boy, you know” (Kincaid, 2003, p. 321), depicting a civilization where men and women are kept apart. In this social setting, men can wander without restrictions, while women are primarily confined to the home. Additionally, this entails that families impose strict, discriminatory rules on their kids. When they are adults, these children discriminate against their offspring, and the problems in society are sustained by this cycle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, students learn the rhetorical fundamentals necessary to meet the expectations of collegiate and professional writing in English Composition I. I have learned more about myself throughout the training and gained valuable skills. Additionally, I have studied and put into practice the methods and techniques used by successful authors as they strive to achieve particular goals. “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid made me think about the role of society in raising a child and the relationship between mother and daughter.

Reference

Kincaid, J. (2003). Girl. In A. Charters (Ed.), The story and its writer: An introduction to short fiction (6th ed., pp. 320-321). Boston: Bedford / St. Martin’s. (Original work published 1978)

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IvyPanda. (2023, November 26). “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid: The Role of Society in Raising a Child. https://ivypanda.com/essays/girl-by-jamaica-kincaid-the-role-of-society-in-raising-a-child/

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"“Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid: The Role of Society in Raising a Child." IvyPanda, 26 Nov. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/girl-by-jamaica-kincaid-the-role-of-society-in-raising-a-child/.

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IvyPanda. (2023) '“Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid: The Role of Society in Raising a Child'. 26 November.

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IvyPanda. 2023. "“Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid: The Role of Society in Raising a Child." November 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/girl-by-jamaica-kincaid-the-role-of-society-in-raising-a-child/.

1. IvyPanda. "“Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid: The Role of Society in Raising a Child." November 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/girl-by-jamaica-kincaid-the-role-of-society-in-raising-a-child/.


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IvyPanda. "“Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid: The Role of Society in Raising a Child." November 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/girl-by-jamaica-kincaid-the-role-of-society-in-raising-a-child/.

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