Jamaica Kincaid's The Autobiography Of My Mother

It is presently common, to label women as inherently malicious and slanderous individuals. We see these stereotypes present, in today’s society. For instance, when two women get in an argument, others around them, tend to yell ‘cat fight’, declaring that because they are women, they presume them as ‘catty’. This scenario, can also be used as a parallel, that depicts what society does to women. Society sets women in opposition to each other, by elevating a male’s status, and forcing women to seek approval from men. In the book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, the main character Francie observes, a situation where, a woman is verbally and eventually physically assaulted, by other women, because she is not married (or really, she doesn’t care nor needs the

The fight against sexism is not a new fight. Women have been fighting for equal rights, as well as fighting for their lives, culture, and values to be just as important as men's. On August 18, 1920, women were granted the right to vote; but this was only the beginning. From then to now, the role of women in society has significantly changed due to women standing up for their rights at protests and rallies, as well as on social media. While “The Good Wife’s Guide” focused on the promotion of the traditional gender role of women and defined appropriate emotions for women, “The Revolt of ‘Mother,’” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, represents the start of the resistance of the traditional gender role of women that we see in society today.

The poem “Mother Who Gave Me Life”, written by Gwen Harwood explores the extremely personal relationship between a daughter and her mother. It focus’ on the universal role of women as mothers and nurturers throughout time. It explores the intimate moments and memories between a daughter and her mother, and gives us as the reader an insight into the relationship between the two.

Early in her life, Xuela rejects her racial stereotype but does not make public her higher self esteem. Even as a child, she keeps to mostly to herself, and because of this, hardly anyone understands her.

Society is often seen to have different biases or perspectives on topics such as the role and perception of women. The short story, “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, consists primarily of a catalog of commands and instructions, the purpose of which is to make sure that the mother’s daughter is constantly in check and not getting into any trouble. Jamaica Kincaid utilizes a wide range of techniques such as symbolism and diction in order to showcase the theme of how the depiction of women rely mainly on how they present themselves in the public and how they are so easily described as impure or filthy.

Sexism is a challenge almost all women face. In a way, sexism can be beneficial because it can motivate women to defy society's standards and anything holding them back. However, in The House on Mango Street, author Sandra Cisneros, shows both sides of sexism, and how it can motivate women. Sexism can also make women give up and not accomplish anything. While Cisneros has the protagonist fight off sexism, Esperanza runs into many cases of sexism where the women just give up. Similarly, with The Help, author Kathryn Stockett, also shows both the positive and negative side of sexism. Skeeter, the protagonist fights off sexism to gain freedom, and in doing so she finds that all her friends don’t want to change the roles they have. Both

Anne Roiphe’s “Confessions of a Female Chauvinist Sow” first appeared in the magazine New York in 1972. In this essay Roiphe aims to convince her readers that women must put faith in the idea that they are equal to men, not superior. “Women who want equality must be prepared to give it and believe in it . . . .” Personal anecdotes, contrast, and comparison are techniques Roiphe skillfully uses to create a strong, convincing essay.

Women have long been fighting for their right to be seen as equal to men. Even to this day, women continue to fight for their rights, things such as the right to non-gender discriminatory wages. While there may be some arguments over the state of gender equality in the modern world, it is undeniable that there have been great strides made toward recognizing the female 's worth in the workforce and as a human being. Despite these strides, however, things are still not yet ideal for women and many of the issues females face today are the very same issues that have been plaguing them for decades. While it is unfortunate the oppression of women has been so long-lived, the length of that exposure has thankfully enabled many talented writers to both lament over the fact and emphasize the need for gender equality.

In Jamaica Kincaid’s story, Girl, a mother is talking to her daughter about all the proper things she must do to be considered a good girl to her family and to the public, and when she grows up, a proper lady. She must follow the rules that are given to her by her own mother and by society. The mother also teaches the daughter how to act when things don’t go her way. She is told that along with being a proper lady, she must also be able to get what she wants and be independent. This story was written in the late 1970’s and gender roles, for women, back then were not being “followed” because women wanted equal opportunities (Women In the Workforce). “Gender stereotypes are beliefs regarding the traits and behavioral characteristics given to individuals on the basis of their gender” (Deuhr). This essay will discuss the gender roles that were given to women in the story, during the late 70’s, and in today’s society.

In her dreams, Pauline is haunted by the men in Argus. Since Regina has Dutch, Pauline is anxious to escape. She gets her chance with the arrival of Bernadette Morrissey, a widow, and her brother Napoleon. Pauline notes that they are well off, mixed-bloods who have acquired land. Napoleon is single, but has a drinking problem; however, he is admired as a good Catholic for taking in his sister and her three children, Clarence, Sophie, and Philomena. Pauline lies to Bernadette and tells them she is abused at Regina's and has to do rough chores. Bernadette tells her that she will have to work hard in her home, but she will not be abused. Pauline thinks God will reward Bernadette.

After Pauline and Cholly move to Lorain, Ohio, Pauline finds the people unkind and describes her time as 'the lonesomest time of my life." (Morrison, p. 117) She comes to rely heavily on

Another example of the failure of adults is seen in Pauline Breedlove. Just as Geraldine focuses more on her desires than her child, so does Pauline in ways that also drift her away from her family. Mrs. Breedlove is a black woman who dreams she can somehow make her family appreciate her but after Pauline figures that she could not, she finds meaning in romantic movies and the Fisher Family - the white family she works for. The narrator tells readers, “More and more she neglected her house, her children, her man – they were like the afterthoughts one has just before sleep, the early-morning and late-evening edges of her day, the dark edges that made the daily life with the Fishers lighter, more delicate, more lovely. . .Here she found beauty, order, cleanliness, and praise” (127). Pauline Breedlove works for a family that is not her family and because the Fishers give her what she desires, she ends up neglecting her own family. Mrs. Breedlove fails to

Girls, young women, and mature mothers. Society has consistently given women strict guidelines, rules and principles on how to be an appropriate member of a man’s society. These rules are set at a young age and enforced thoroughly into adulthood. When not followed accordingly, women often times too many face reprimanding through means of verbal abuse, physical abuse, or social exile. In the midst of all these strict guidelines and social etiquette for girls, a social rebellion started among girls and women and gender roles were broken, however the social rebellion did not and does not affect all girls and women. For instance, in less socially developed places, young girls on the brink of womanhood are still strongly persuaded to be a man’s idea of a “woman”.

Unraveling the Rose of Motherhood: A Painful Pleasure The Autobiography of My Mother written by Jamaica Kincaid is not an authentic autobiography of Xuela’s mother, but a novel which forms the life of a child growing up without her parent. The first thorn Xuela is pricked by occurred when she lost her mother during childbirth.

What is considered a proper way for a woman to act in general society and who has the correct answer? Jamaica Kincaid’s story “Girl” is fundamentally an instructional writing where a mother is primarily caring for her daughter’s future. The story is performed in fiction where the child needs to get prepared to confront the world as a woman. Most of the commands the mother gave to her daughter are ambiguous; there is not enough content, however, it can be assumed that the mother is helping the girl evade any major consequences from not being properly prepared for society. The mother, with several recommendations, tried to make her daughter understand her gender and how her behavior and appearance should be seen through other people’s eyes. Most of the mother’s instructions are related to moral conduct and social relationships that follow an old fashion model of womanhood. “This is how you behave” and “This is how you bully a man” (Kincaid) are some of the pointers that the mother provided to the daughter in hopes of guiding her actions. The piece offers serious coming-of-age advice from a narrator who has much experience to give (Smith, 152). The mother’s main goal is to cement her daughter’s place in society as a respectable woman. Throughout every stage, the mother clearly shows how the girl was growing fast and how she needs to be prepared to confront life.