Description
This lesson plan provides a complete literary analysis of Jamaica Kincaid’s short story “Girl,” originally published in The New Yorker in 1978. Although the text is only 687 words, it offers rich complexity and depth, making it ideal for close reading and discussion.
Written as a single extended sentence, “Girl” presents a mother’s stream of advice to her daughter about how to behave in a society that holds women to strict and often unrealistic expectations. The mother’s voice—both protective and controlling—reveals underlying tensions related to gender roles, cultural expectations, identity, and power. The story reflects real experiences of women growing up in the West Indies, giving students insight into cultural context while inviting broader conversations about societal norms.
This lesson guides students through thoughtful analysis of voice, structure, tone, and theme while encouraging personal and critical connections to the text.
The resource includes teacher directions, a before-reading anticipation activity to activate thinking, and literary analysis questions that support close reading and interpretation. After reading, students respond to a journal prompt focused on roles and responsibilities, followed by group discussion questions that ask students to consider advice they’ve received or would offer to others. A complete answer key is included for all activities.
Perfect for middle school and high school ELA, this “Girl” lesson supports discussions about culture, gender expectations, and identity while helping students analyze how form and voice shape meaning in literature.