Directions: After reading this week’s the fictional short stories (Kincaid, Alexie, Le Guin, Barthelme) choose one (1 only) of these texts to focus on, and then locate what you think is the most important word or short phrase in this text (you can even have a sentences, but no more!)  Discuss why you think it is significant or important, especially as it relates to the possible theme, message, or main idea you see in this text. This last part is very important, since your main task here is to do interpretive analysis work on this text, showing your reader what you think the story is about and why you think so.

Then respond to one of you classmates if you like–this part is optional.  

Write 200-225 words (more is fine). 

As usual, do not consult any outside sources from the internet or in print. Doing so will mean a zero/0 on the assignment. I want to hear your ideas, not someone else’s. 

The most important sentence in the short story, girl

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The sentence that I think is the most important is,” you mean to say that after all, you are going to be the kind of woman who the baker won’t let near the bread?” This shows that even if the mother has little doubt about whether her daughter would follow her instructions, she believes that she has given her enough advice to avoid the long path and follow the road that will make her a respected and acceptable member of society. The mother feels that she has a responsibility in her daughters’ life to guide her on how to manage simple basic chores in the house, behave as a woman in society, and carry herself as she relates with others in society. The sentence shows the responsibility that the mother feels that she carries towards molding her daughter, and she is convinced that the girl, despite her resistance, will turn out to be a good woman whose presence would not be a problem or a nuisance to the general society.

It shows a genuine concern of a mother who is convinced that she is playing her God-given role to prepare her young daughter to fulfill her roles at home and handle relationships and interactions considering her gender and her position in society. It also shows a clear disjoint between the two generations as the mother beliefs that she is playing her role, whereas the daughter feels that she is overstepping some boundaries with her instructions. The sentence sums up the expectations of a wise mother from her rebellious daughter, whom she thinks will eventually follow her advice, thus be respected as a woman in the society. It depicts the role that was played by mothers in the traditional societies where tough upbringing and overstepping of the boundaries was the norm, but the intentions were good.

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