In Jamaica Kincaid's short bilgewater "Girl," we ar presented with a stream-of-consciousness selection from a female child who is remembering being told a number of things in order to be feel as a good girl who is not a "slut" and who grows into a woman "who the baker" will " permit near the bread" (Kincaid 1). In this story we see that one's individualism is largely defined by the actions and behaviors one exhibits or fails to exhibit. For example, there is a proper way to "soak salt fish," " run up on a button," "smile," and "behave in the presence of work force who don't know you very well" (Kincaid 1). However, we also see that for char women there ar some very strict rules regarding individual(prenominal) identity expression. A "good" girl "don't squat megabucks to play marbles" like a boy does, and much(prenominal) a girl knows how to both "bully" and "love" a man without feeling "too bad about vainglorious up" if a relationship doesn't work (Kincaid 1). However, the tone of this story suggests that the "girl" might need to have an abortion, essential intermit from acting like a slut, and must become the type of woman that the baker will let squeeze the bread. We see that the concerns of a black w
oman complicate cooking, ironing, cleaning, sewing, shopping, interacting with men, and knowing how to become the "right" kind of woman. Like Frost's speaker, the girl is trying to discern who she is and what gives meaning to life. Through these ruminations, we see the goals she must achieve to define an identity that makes her a "good" girl.
In The Piano Lesson, we see that a brother and sister, Berniece and Willie Boy Charles are a brother and sister whose past experiences as Afri sewer Americans have provided them with a different means of finding meaning and defining their individual identity in life. Willie Boy hopes to shit the piano in the possession of Berniece, a piano that represents the heritage, culture, and sacrifices of her family to Berniece. To Berniece, belongings the piano is a symbol of maintaining the heritage and culture of African Americans in her family. To Willie Boy, the piano symbolizes a chance for a modern start; the chance to become self-sufficient. As Lymon asserts, "After we cheat them watermelons he have enough money he can buy him a whole railroad car" (Wilson 3).
Frost, Robert. "Design." Viewed on Nov 24, 2004: http://www. starve.org/teaching/intro-poetry/design.html, 1936, p. 1.
Kincaid, Jamaica. "Girl." Viewed on Nov 24, 2004: http://www. state.ct.us/sde/dtl/t-a/best/seminarseries/online_seminars/ ela/2/story_girl.htm, p. 1.
In conclusion, though the form, tone, and style of each of these
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