Jamaica Kincaid's Girl

In the poem Girl by Jamaica Kincaid, Kincaid illustrates a conversation between a mother and her daughter, presumably Kincaid and her mother. The mother provides her daughter a series of what to do’s and what not to do’s in just one sentence. “…be sure to wash every day, even if it is with your own spit; don't squat down to play marbles—you are not a boy, you know…” the mother requests in the poem. The poem is more of Kincaid’s mother stating “this is how” and less showing her how to precisely do them. Kincaid’s mother feeds her an abundance of tasks and warnings in hopes of molding her into a proper young lady. The path to growing up can be complex. No wonder Kincaid’s mother is so concerned with Kincaid’s coming of age. She tries to teach Kincaid as much as she is able to using everything she has learned throughout her life, hoping that this would help her daughter as she faces real life. Jamaica Kincaid displays the complex process of growing up. In the poem Girl, the author’s

Kincaid uses the hyperbole “…be sure to wash every day, even if it is with your own spit.” The author’s mother uses the hyperbole to discuss the significance of always being hygienic and presentable. Kincaid also uses the metaphor “…don't pick people's flowers—you might catch something.” Kincaid’s mother warns her on the dangers of sleeping around. She advises Kincaid not to “pick random flowers,” which can be translated into not sleeping with random men. Another example of a metaphor is “… “…don't throw stones at blackbirds, because it might not be a blackbird at all.” Kincaid’s mother does not state the blackbirds are really people. She warns Kincaid in avoiding prejudgment because someone might not be who they seem. Although, prejudgment is inevitable, it is quite important for Kincaid’s mother to warn her about it. Kincaid also uses poetic devices to augment the text. She uses the repetition “this is