RRC Archives

I hate topics that turn out to just be a damned link. I rarely check em out. So here's a link. About the shortest story I've ever read. By Jamaica Kincaid.

http://www.turksheadreview.com/library/ ... -girl.html

An incredible canvas of character in so few words.

ZSpiddy

the story is a back and forth dialogue between mother and daughter, only most of it is monologue because the daughter only gets in a couple sentances. the mother is one of those "you're going to fail!" type parents that speak that way due to a fear that the children will fail in life. that said, she is not an unbiased observer and therefore you cannot create a valid image of the daughter's character based on the skewed ideas the mother has.

honestly, i dont see what kind of rage a story one gets assigned in literature class can possibly cause. maybe it's because you were assigned that in literature class?

As you state, the daughter doesn't say enough to really flesh her out. The mom, on the other hand, does a great job of portraying herself. Her advice to her daughter reveal her experience of life.

That is the only thing I've read by her. Have you read anything else by her? The intro said that Jamaica's early stories are sorta controversial.

ZSpiddy

How the fuck is "Guest" able to post in this section?

pretty cool story none the less

Glad you liked it, krampus. It was the first I've read by her.

Zspiddy

I guess I like it cus its almost like the mother appears to be warning the daughter yet secretly wants her to screw up so that she can have someone to relate to. A reminder that despite what the child thinks at the time, parents are human and can make mistakes too.

That's an interesting take on it. I can see it. The thing that hit me was that the mother was speaking from her own mistakes.

ZSpiddy

Its the way she doesn't warn her against being a slut, but tells her she is going to be one. Then ridicules her for being the kind of girl that guys don't want.