Formalist new critical analysis of “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid
The correct answer and explanation is :
A formalist or New Critical analysis of Jamaica Kincaid’s short story “Girl” would focus primarily on the story’s structure, language, symbolism, and the relationship between form and content. In this type of analysis, external factors like authorial intent or historical context are not considered; the focus is solely on the text itself.
In “Girl”, the narrative is presented as a long, uninterrupted monologue of a mother instructing her daughter on how to behave as a “proper” woman in society. The story’s form is crucial in conveying the oppressive and controlling nature of the mother’s advice. The absence of dialogue and the lack of any clear break in the speech pattern reflect the one-sidedness of the relationship. This uninterrupted flow also highlights the rigid societal expectations placed on women.
The language in the story is critical to understanding the emotional weight of the narrative. The mother’s instructions are terse, authoritarian, and filled with societal judgments. She teaches her daughter how to do domestic chores, behave in public, and avoid being labeled as immoral. The language used by the mother is not only a reflection of her own values but also of the gendered norms that she is enforcing on her daughter. The repetition of phrases, such as “this is how you iron,” creates a rhythmic pattern that echoes the repetitive nature of societal expectations for women.
Symbolism also plays a role in the story. The domestic tasks the mother instructs her daughter to do, such as cooking, cleaning, and sewing, represent the limited roles that society imposes on women. These tasks are not just about keeping a household in order but symbolize the expected submission and restriction of the female identity. The only time the daughter speaks is in a brief, hesitant response that shows her resistance, which underscores the tension between societal expectations and individual desires.
In conclusion, a formalist analysis of “Girl” underscores the way Kincaid uses structure, language, and symbolism to critique gender roles and societal constraints placed on women. The form of the story is key to understanding the oppressive environment in which the daughter is raised, as well as the enduring struggle between conformity and independence.