Culture of Jamaica

Jamaica Kincaid, the author of the short story “Girl,” was raised on the island of Antigua. During the time in which she was raised, Antigua was influenced by the British government. Because of the British control, Kincaid was raised in a culture immersed in the ideals of oppression and slavery. Being an African American woman in Antigua during the rule of the British government influenced how she wrote later in life. She eventually moved to America and landed a job as a writer for The New…

I found a very incredible source relating to and backing up Jamaica Kincaid, “Girl”. The title of my credible source is called; “Raising a Human Child” by, Kelly, C. D. Therefore, my theme of my essay will be, “Motherhood”. Kincaid, draws the audience in by letting them put themselves into the position of being the “girl” she’s talking about. By letting the readers try to imagine themselves in that position who Kincaid is talking about. Kincaid added, this creates respect in the community as…

IS A TOURIST AN UGLY THING? [Document subtitle] prefess Is a Tourist an Ugly Thing? A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid is an essay that begins with Kincaid lashing at the tourists that come from Europe and North America for their stay in Antigua. In the book she implies how the tourists are blinded by Antigua’s beauty and paradise that they don’t realize the flaws that lie beneath it all. Kincaid reveals her bitterness towards them and how she believes in that many of these tourists take their…

convey the same message while covering different issues? In this paper I will argue that “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid and “Theme for English B” by Langston Hughes are both addressing the same issue but in different ways. I will look at the similarities of characters, symbolism, and structure in the stories. Even though the texts are different, they both reveal social issues found in society. “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid is a short story that consists of two characters, a mother and daughter that…

Jamaica Kincaid composed a short story called “Girl” and the brief narrative is about a stern mother teaching her young daughter life lessons as she is becoming a mature adolescent. The story is a laundry list of “women’s responsibilities”, such as doing household duties, dealing with men, knowing how to be nice to people you do and do not like and learning how to be a respectable individual in the Caribbean community. Concerned that her daughter is on the urge of being promiscuous, the mother’s…

Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl” details sentiments of a mother advising her daughter how to become an Antiguan woman. It has no traditional plot, character descriptions, setting, or action. Instead, it only has two voices. From the story, the author strives to demonstrate the issues inherent in mother-daughter relationships, adolescent sexuality, contradiction of female roles, the legacy of colonialism, and life under patriarchy. All these are shown in the short piece, hence illustrating the mastery…

Jamaica Kincaid’s “On Seeing England for the First Time” is reflection on her youth in Antigua and the lasting impact it had on her. Because Antigua was a British colony, Kincaid and every other person inhabiting the island were taught just how great Britain truly is. Brits are well-mannered, had a rich history, and lived enviable lifestyles. The version of Britain that Kincaid learned about is heavily sanitized and far from the truth, but that does nothing to stop it from being permeated…

A Small Place written by Jamaica Kincaid (2000) is recognized by a number of scholars highlighting how the content exposes readers to the past and present culture of the narrator's native country Antigua. Kincaid (2000) addresses the corruption in the Antiguan government, the influence of English colonialism, tourism as a neo-colonial structure, and in short identifies factors that contribute to the lost identity of Antigua. Nonetheless, one should take notice that the author frequently…

Monica Korb [Delete John Smith and put your name here] COM 101—Spring 2015 A Small Place Essay Jamaica Kincaid’s memoir, A Small Place, offers an instructive example for understanding how a reality can differ greatly between people relative to their point of observation. Kincaid explains her experience of Antigua as both a “paradise” and a “prison.” It is because of this dual reality that Kincaid expresses a conflicted sense of life. She also mentions how one’s landscape is a reflection of…

Useful Advice for a Daughter or No? You Decide. “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid is a poem with a universal theme that speaks to the relationships between mothers and daughters. This poem reflects the author’s own childhood and the culture in which she was raised. The mother imparts advice and wisdom to her young daughter about growing up and becoming a woman. Although, the advice the mother gives to her daughter could be applicable, some may perceive it to be very generalized and judgemental. In the…