Our Desires Come From Others

The short story “Girl”, written by Jamaica Kincaid, is a mother’s compilation of instructions and guidance to her daughter. The mother believes her offer of practical and helpful advice will assist her daughter in becoming a respectable woman in society. Similarly, in the novel Persuasion, written by Jane Austen, Sir Walter provides guidance for his daughter, hoping that she acknowledges the importance of her social class and marrying a suitable match. Although both parents are concerned for their children’s future, their advice do not come directly from their heart but are shaped by society’s values and expectations. This is equivalent to the theory of “mimetic desire”-- one person is motivated to do something because he sees that others desire to do it. Throughout both literary works, each persuasion uses mimetic desire to reveal the intention behind the persuasive attempts and their outcomes on the main characters.

The mother’s lesson for her daughter is beneficial, yet it is shaped by society’s expectations for a virtuous woman. The mother decides to transfer her domestic knowledge and life experience to her daughter in order to shape her daughter’s behavior from a young age. She gives out detailed instructions on how to “sew a button, how to hem a dress when the hem coming down, how to iron a khaki shirt so that it does not have a crease.” Although hemming a dress, sewing, and ironing are not difficult chores, the mother emphasizes their importance since she understands that appearance and clothing reflect a woman’s character. Because these domestic skills are measurement for women’s competence and self-worth, the daughter’s inability to take care of her clothes will indicate her neglect in household skills and lack of order...

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...one wants to do in his life. Although what initiates the parenting is similar in both works, the purpose of each advice varies. Understanding the expectations of her community, the mother attempts to shape her daughter’s future in a positive way with her comprehensive lesson of domestic skills and proper behaviors whereas Sir Walter’s focus on look and strong class-consciousness let him guide his daughter to give up her happiness to help him achieve what he wants. The outcome of the mother’s persuasion on her daughter is questionable, for the daughter is too young to recognize her mother’s intention; however, the use of mimetic desire on Anne proves to be successful. Her companionship with warm-hearted people enables Anne to detach herself from her father’s persuasion and follow her feelings and interests to seek her gratifying life.

Works Cited

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