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A Comparative Essay Of 'Girl And Seventeen Syllables'

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Alesha Ahmed Dana Patrascu-Kingsley CENG 104: The Short Story February 10th, 2023 A Comparative Essay of Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl” and Hisaye Yamamoto’s “Seventeen Syllables” Cultural struggles are deeply personal and challenging for individuals, attempting to fit a cultural identity in a modern society is difficult, and in today's society are a growing issue due to societal pressures, globalization, and multiculturalism. Furthermore, culture is a fundamental aspect of people's lives as it forms the backbone of their identity and sense of belonging. In both Kincaid’s short story featuring “girl” as well as Seventeen Syllables short story featuring “Rosie” the concept of cultural struggles is explored. Witnessing two individuals caught between …show more content…

Both stories depict how difficult it can be for individuals to form a sense of identity due to various pressures that they may face from their parents or society or culture. While each character from both stories is seen facing unique challenges, they both share common ground on their struggle of finding a balance between cultural/societal expectations and individual expression. Despite the different cultural backgrounds of both characters it is witnessed that they share the same struggle, this serves as a reminder to readers that regardless of cultural differences each family may face their own struggles in the rapidly changing world that people are surrounded by. Furthermore, it is seen how both stories showcase the issue of gender roles in various cultures as both characters face unique struggles such as added pressure and expectations based on their gender. These stories specifically target the challenges faced by women when trying to mix cultural identity with their personal identity. All in all, both stories highlight the importance of maintaining cultural diversity while still allowing individuals to form their own identities as well as creating a more inclusive and equitable

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