IndexHistorical and biographical lensImpact of gender roles and social expectationsConclusionEvery day, many adolescents, especially women, experience the burden of parents' overbearing expectations driven by stereotypes social. These injustices, prejudices and discrimination against a specific gender play a vital role in causing adolescents to distance themselves from their families and society when they have the opportunity. In this essay we will explore how Jamaica Kincaid's personal experiences are reflected in the character of her daughter in her short story "Girl" through a historical and biographical lens, focusing on dominant parental expectations and gender roles. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Historical and Biographical Focus Jamaica Kincaid's life experiences significantly influenced her writing, particularly in the context of her relationship with her mother. At the age of nine, Kincaid's life took a dramatic turn with the birth of her three brothers. This transformation had a profound impact on his relationship with his mother. Her mother's love diminished and she felt inexplicably rejected and cast aside. For example, despite being an intelligent student who won a scholarship to a school affiliated with the British education system, Kincaid was forced to withdraw from school to support her family and care for her ailing stepfather. This demonstrates how her mother prioritized family needs over her daughter's social and educational development, showcasing the harmful effects of dominant parenting. The authoritative parenting style in Kincaid's life is reflected in her short story "Girl." The story is presented primarily from the mother's point of view, emphasizing her dominance over her daughter. The use of semicolons instead of periods emphasizes this dominance, as it symbolizes the mother's unshakable control over the conversation. Although the mother's instructions may be well intentioned from her point of view, she fails to consider the daughter's point of view. For example, when the mother says, “…don't sing the bucket in Sunday school…”, the daughter's inner thoughts reveal her frustration with the mother's instructions, “but I don't sing the bucket at all on Sundays and never in Sunday school." .' This illustrates the mother's reluctance to acknowledge her daughter's current conformity to her expectations. Therefore, although authoritative parenting can have benefits, it can also lead to exasperation of the child. Impact of Gender Roles and Social Expectations In addition to dominant parenting, both Kincaid and the girl in her story grapple with unfair gender roles and stereotypes imposed by society. These specific gender roles have the power to create divisions within families. In Kincaid's case, she was forced to support her family through difficult times while her siblings were encouraged to pursue higher education. She was even sent to the United States to work as an "au pair" with the expectation that she would send her earnings back home. However, Kincaid chose to distance himself from his family instead of fulfilling this role. This divergence in gender-based social expectations had a profound impact on her relationships and family choices. Similarly, “Girl” illustrates how the mother imparts prejudicial and restrictive gender role expectations to her daughter. The mother's instructions, such as "...don't squat down to play marbles, you're not a boy...", exemplify the
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