The Girl “The Girl,” a short tale by Jamaican Kincaid, explores a girl’s bond with her mother. It demonstrates that in most situations, the mother tries to dictate what conduct is acceptable for women (Rabea & Nusaiba). She expects and demands that the girl behaves in this manner. The mother gives a lot of advice on what to do, including what to prepare, what to do in the house, and what to do outside the house. The girl’s mother also gives her advice on what she should and should not do. For instance, the mother instructs the girl not to go bareheaded as the sun rises (Kincaid). These mandated types of behavior clearly limit the girl’s options. Some information might potentially be harmful to the girl. For example, a mother may instruct a daughter on how to make homemade abortion drugs, which may be harmful to the girl’s health (Kincaid). In general, the girl is restricted in practically every manner by her mother’s domineering demeanor. The narrative emphasizes the importance of family bonds in influencing one’s actions (Rabea & Nusaiba). The mother embodies the belief that women should be confined to the house while men are capable of going anywhere they choose. This circumstance re-creates in the daughter the type of gender prejudice that the mother experienced, most likely when she was younger (Jayasree). Kincaid’s “Girl” of Jamaica eloquently depicts some of society’s difficulties and how parents may pass discrimination within generations. The Story of an Hour The feminist literary criticism is based on American novelist Kate Chopin’s “Story of an Hour” (Paudel). The loss of Mrs. Mallard’s husband is a watershed moment in her life since she had been her husband’s property up to that point (Chopin). Brentley Mallard’s death is Louise Mallard’s rite of passage into a new, liberated existence. Mrs. Mallard is not only horrified when she learns of her husband’s death, but she is also not as stunned as most people are when they learn of the loss of a close family or acquaintance. Mrs. Mallard is first terrified by the prospect of becoming free, as it is not something she is used to or what society accepts. Yet, as the ecstasy grows stronger and gives her a sense of imminent independence, she begins to comprehend what it is to have power in her life (Paudel). She now feels powerful and capable of making her own decisions, something she never felt in her marriage. Louise descends the stairs after only a few minutes of delight, only to be slain downstairs when she realizes Brentley Mallard is not dead. She is no longer free, as she was only moments ago, and is once again tied by the ties of matrimony (Hu). Louise Mallard, having experienced the beauty of freedom before Brentley’s illusory death, is unable to continue living the life she lived before Brentley’s illusory death (Hu). She had to die because she could not live till Brentley Mallard died, knowing she would never have that amazing sensation of freedom again. Discussion Both stories are, to some extent, an indictment of the gross mistreatment of women in the male-dominated society. The different perspectives shown in the stories represent how deep the underrepresentation of women was rooted while reflecting the notion of women’s struggle for being recognized and the ability to live the life they want. In “The Girl,” the mistreat