This is one of the fascinating works by Jamaica Kincaid.  The narrative has two voices that we realize later it is that for a mother and daughter. The narrator has been able to use artistically the two voices to hit the big issue that surrounds mother-daughter relationship. It is prudent to note that the mother’s voice forms the larger part of the narrative as compared to the daughter. From this point of view, it is clear that the narrator intends, to put a lot of emphasis on the important role played by mothers in initiating girls into adulthood. The mother lectures the girl on the rules of etiquette that she must follow as she grows up. From the narrator’s point of view, one can easily see a concerned and caring mother. The mother is critical of personal values that she thinks are vital for the girl as she grows up. The girl’s respectability in the society is of primary concern to the mother.

The narrator helps us understand the traits of the mother who is much interested in talking rather than listening. Most of the narrative are in the mother’s voice where she gives her thought on what is expected of a wife or a good female character. The narrator portrays the girl as a bad girl through the critical and practical advice from the mother.’’ ..don’t sing benna in Sunday school; you mustn’t speak to wharf–rat boys, not even to give directions; don’t eat fruits on the street.’’  It is, however, worthy noting that the few words from the girl can be a sign of innocence. The girl’s voice is only eminent when she defends herself against accusations of singing inappropriately on Sundays. ‘’but I don’t sing benna on Sundays at all and never in Sunday school; ‘’ We can also see her voice near the end of the story when she asks her mother about the baker.

As aforementioned, it takes the time to figure out that the voices involved in the fiction are that of a mother and daughter. It is nevertheless interesting to note that though the girl is seen powerless at first, it is from her that the story is developed. It is not a real narrative since there is no action, but it seems that the girl recalls her mother’s advice she received as a young girl. The narrative technique employed by the author gives the girl the power to narrate to us her experience with the mother. We get to understand the story from the girl’s perspective.

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