Plot Summary

In her article, “Girl” the author Jamaica Kincaid argues that the girl in the story should follow her mother’s advice in everything she does. It is because the advice will enable her to live a happy life and avoid mistakes in life.

Moreover, the story is told in the form of a dialogue where there are two characters namely the mother and the child. The story is also told from the second point of view. The mother’s advice will assist the girl on how to go about her daily duties. The mother is also trying to instill proper behaviors in the girl. In this case, the mother is informing the girl what she should do and what to avoid in life (Kincaid, 320). One of the examples is where the author asserts that”on Sundays try to walk like a lady and not like the slut you are so bent on becoming.” From this quotation, it is evident that the mother is trying to pass certain beliefs and cultures to her daughter. This will assist her to embrace good behaviors in life and shun bad characters. The mother also frequently advises her daughter on how to perfect her character.

Another example is where the mother advised her daughter on eating habits. It is evident where the mother says that “don’t eat fruits on the street-flies will follow you.” The purpose of this advice is to warn the daughter to avoid bad eating habits in the future. Therefore, from the reading, the mother is frequently advising her daughter to embrace good behaviors. This will assist her to fit in the society.

Response

From the reading, do mothers play an essential role in shaping the lives of their children especially the girl child? In this case, it is true that the girl’s mother was an instrumental role in ensuring that her kid embraces acceptablebehaviors. It is evident in the several warnings and advises she gives her on how to handle different situations in life. For instance, the girl should not eat fruits on the street because it will attract flies. Besides, such behavior is unhygienic and should always be avoided(Kincaid, 321). Therefore, the girl could not have differentiated between good and evil characters if the mother could not have advised her. As a result, it could have ruined her reputation. This is because she was likely to commit several mistakes as a result of ignorance. For example, she could not have known that it is unhygienic to eat fruits in the streets. Finally, a girl child brought up by her mother is likely to be more informed. It is evident where the mother regularly advises about various issues like how to wash clothes and sweep the house. The situation might be contrary in children brought up in the absence of their mothers.

Conclusion

From the reading, I have noticed that a mother plays an essential role in improving the life of a child. This is usually done through advice given by the parent. Secondly, I have realized that the parent should regularly advise the kid through constant reminders. Such a step can assist the child to avoid mistakes in the future. The child might also develop good behaviors that will enable someone to fit in the society. From the story, I have also learned that children should be obedient to their parents by following their advice. It is because they are more experienced than the kids.

Work Cited

Kincaid, Jamaica. ““Girl””. 6th Ed., 2003, pp. 320-321., Accessed 16 Dec 2018.

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