In Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl,” one of the aspects of the traditional mother/daughter relationship is vividly portrayed. By giving the daughter specific orders the mother teaches her obedience in hopes that one day when the daughter becomes a mother she will convey the same message of obedience she was given as a child.

    This story takes place in a Caribbean community where a male-dominated society in which the men are allowed to be irresponsible about housework, and enjoy sexual relationships outside marriage. The strong mother/daughter relationship in this story suggests the absence of a personal relationship with the father, in seeing him as a master, instead of a dad.

    One of the main topics the mother hits on in her speech to her child is to be submissive to the male roles in her life. One way the daughter can do this is by showing the proper presence in front of men. This is just one of the many lessons in submitting to the male role in their society the mother teaches her daughter