Poem Analysis Essay Example

The poem of “Girl” is written like a description of a poor female who lives in a rural area. While some of the descriptions are those which apply to African American women, these terms could also apply to other women who live in these areas. While it is written more like a short story without any dialogue, it seems as though the young girl has some issues with her identity. Does she feel like she does not live up or is she constantly reminded by someone else that some of the things that she does in life are not adequate? It seems like she is resentful of someone who might be an authoritative figure, likely a woman. Does this girl have a bad relationship with her mother or a step-mother where they make her feel like she is not good enough and that she has to do these duties and live by certain ‘rules’ or otherwise people will think badly about her or have they just convinced her of this mentality?
I think it is fascinating the way that you entitle the poem “Girl” and start off by introducing readers to the number of chores she has to do on a weekly basis. You do this instead of actually building a character and telling us more about this girl. Do you do this so as to make her have a sense of animosity? Is that why the title is simply just called, “Girl,” because you are insinuating that she may think that she really is no one special? The way that a list of things to do and not do makes it seem like those tasks are not just mundane but actually create her identity as a young girl.
There are a number of chores are numerous and everything is specific. Laundry is done on certain days. Then she has a whole slew of other tasks she does such as cooking. It is like she is writing down a list of the things that she has to remember to do and things she should not do. Is this list of do’s and do not’s something that someone else has taught her and she has to remember it? Or does this apply to all girls in her culture? You discuss of her singing benna in Sunday school and since this is a calypso style of music, does this imply that upbeat music of that style makes her a bad person if that is what she wants to sing at church? Does everyone sing benna in Sunday school? Is she not a lady if she sings that way?
The further into reading of this story, it becomes more evident that this is a conversation between a girl and a superior woman. It is as though the woman is giving the girl advice. She even uses harsh language in the phrase such as ‘not like the slut you are so bent on becoming.’ Why would a mother speak to her daughter like that by using that terminology? She uses the phrase more than once. Does this person really think that the girl is a slut or is going to be one if she does not follow every single thing that this person is telling her? It is very harsh and while this motherly person may be trying to be helpful, her tone is very consistent, concise, and straightforward almost like telling the girl, “You will not be anybody if you do not follow what I am saying to you, slut.”
It becomes evident in the text that the girl only is able to reply a couple of times to interrupt this person who is implied to be a female superior or maternal figure. It is written in such a way that the motherly person is just ripping on the young girl and the young girl does not even have a chance to speak up. However, with the phrases in italics, it shows that the girl is at least interjecting her own thoughts at some point. She said she does not sing benna or even go to Sunday school. It is like this maternal figure does not even acknowledge the reply even though she had directly asked the girl if she did sing benna on Sundays. Before the girl even has a chance to reply, the authoritative motherly figure lists off more things that the girl should or should not do. Finally, when the girl is able to get a word in edgewise, the person who has taken control of this conversation completely disregards the reply to the question because she is already on to a different subject.
Then further into the story, it becomes even more obvious that this is perhaps the girl’s mother because she is explaining to the girl specifically how to iron her father’s khaki clothing so that it is just perfect. What is the mother’s reason for stressing perfection that this is how the girl does certain things a certain way? Sure, the girl is learning how to do these tasks, but does she have to do them exactly like her mom said to? There is no motherly compassion at all coming from this woman; just instructions. Plus, some of the tasks are really mundane such as sweeping different parts of the floor or set the table for various different occasions or even if there are special guests there. Does the mother really think that the girl cannot figure that out on her own?
There is no room for the girl to even grow on her own and have a sense of individuality it seems. It is like this maternal figure has just laid out how everything in life should be done and if you do not do it this way, then you just are inadequate. How come the girl does not interrupt more or defend herself about being called a slut? Does she already feel broken down by this woman that she is afraid to speak up? The girl needs to learn these things because a lot of them are important. However, there are several that she can actually teach herself or learn from others if she becomes educated. There is some humor in the ending though because the girl asks what will happen if the baker will not let her feel the bread to make sure it is fresh and the mother is almost appalled that she wasted all of her breath on this long list of things to do and not do that, she cannot believe that is all the girl has grasped out of the conversation. Is the humor intentional or is it just for shock value to somewhat explain the controlling nature of this mother? I suppose the mother’s goal is to teach her various different things and be a strong and developed woman who should not just worry about whether or not a baker will care if she squeezes the bread to see if it is fresh or to even worry about others at all.