All the three short stories address a similar subject. The main theme in each case is a presentation of the relationship between a mother and a daughter. In all the stories the mothers are concerned with the ways that they can use to help their daughters acquire some societal standards that they deemed appropriate. In Girl the narrator offers implied and direct instructions on how an ideal lady should behave. In Everyday Use there is a conflict of culture as an uneducated mother is worried about her daughter’s newly acquired standards and lifestyles after being receiving educated (Guerin, 2005). The author in I Stand Here Ironing depicts a mother who is thinking about the welfare of her daughter as she continues with ironing.
The stories are also similar in style. In all the cases, there is a narration and the use of first person in which the mother either reflects about her daughter or is telling the audience about the child. While it is not clearly indicated, all the stories are based in early or mid-20th century as the time period due to the prevailing cultural and societal depictions in the narratives. The use of World War II in I Stand Here Ironing is an indication of time, while the prevailing circumstances in both Girl and Everyday Use can be associated with similar periods. The mid-20th century still saw many African Americans being uneducated as demonstrated in the case of Mama in Everyday Use. Similarly, the societal perceptions of an ideal lady as presented in Girl can also be associated with the period. Further similarities are observed in the depiction of single-parenthood. The fathers are either absent or their cases are not presented by the authors.
While the stories exhibit some similarities, some differences can be observed in the literary pieces. The narratives differ in context in which the stories are told. In Girl, the narrator is talking to her daughter whom she realizes has reached sexual maturity and hence prescribes the standards ways that is expected of an ideal woman (Ferguson, 1994). In Everyday Use, the mother (mama) is anxious is she awaits her daughter (Dee or Wangero) who coming back home after acquiring modern education with a white fiancé. Furthermore, mama also has another daughter (Maggie) about whom she is concerned. I Stand Here Ironing depicts the mother’s thoughts about her daughter after being requested by somebody to offer more help. The mother is initially alone with a small baby but is later joined by her daughter, Emily.
In retrospect, the three stories are essential in depicting the roles that are played by the parents especially mothers in shaping the beliefs, attitudes, and societal standards of their daughters. All the stories show mothers’ concerns for their daughters’ welfare based on the cultural identities and societal expectations. The primary difference that has been highlighted about the stories relates to the context in which the narratives are based.
References
Guerin, W. L. (Ed.). (2005). A handbook of critical approaches to literature. Oxford University Press, USA.
Ferguson, M. (1994). Jamaica Kincaid: where the land meets the body. University of Virginia Press.
