Mothering and Its Demands in “Birth” and “Girl”

Introduction: Mothering and Its Demands

Mothering and its demands often place women in a complex interplay of societal expectations, personal sacrifices, and the emotional intricacies that shape their journey through the realms of family and identity. Mothering is inherently a feminine domain, encompassing not just the act of giving birth but also extending to the profound care and love that persists even for babies who may not live to see the world. It’s a full-time commitment that goes beyond the pride of giving birth to baby girls. This aspect, understood uniquely by girls and prospective mothers, is eloquently emphasized by feminist writers Jamaica Kincaid and Anais Nin in their stories “Girl” and “Birth.”

Both writers portray mothers as sacrificial figures who love and care for their children, whether alive or unborn. The mothers are intricately connected to their offspring, an integral part of their bodies, a sentiment explicitly expressed in their stories. Despite the common theme of giving birth to or nurturing baby girls, the narration methods differ—Kincaid employs an advisory monologue, while Nin uses a first-person narrative detailing the experience of birthing a six-month-old baby. Despite these distinctions, the central topic remains consistent: the journey of bringing a baby girl into the world and raising her.

In showcasing their love and motherly care, these writers illustrate that mothers possess a diverse set of tools gifted to them by Mother Nature. These tools serve as means for demonstrating affection, embodying maternal characteristics of sacrifice, and repetitively expressing care for their children.

Daughters, Mothering and Its Demands

Both mothers vividly express not only a motherly love but also a distinctly feminist affection for their daughters. Mothers, driven by the wisdom gained through their experiences, are compelled to equip their daughters with essential skills for navigating the challenges of the world. This nurturing instinct remains unwavering, even if the daughters are yet to arrive or, tragically, are no longer a part of the world.

In Kincaid’s “Girl,” the mother imparts a barrage of advice to her daughter, offering guidance on practical matters like coloring hair and, more significantly, on dealing with the perceived dangers posed by men. The mother’s instructions on loving a man and, if unsuccessful, resorting to other methods underscore the protective nature of her guidance (Kincaid 321). The lessons extend beyond relationships, encapsulating essential skills for successfully managing a household—an intricate web of knowledge passed down through maternal love.

Similarly, in “Birth,” the mother defies the doctor’s advice, unwilling to push out the child, as she recognizes it as a fragment of her body, a manifestation of deep motherly love for the deceased baby girl (Nin 588). This profound connection prevents her from parting with this fragment, even if labeled a “demon” by medical professionals, eliciting the doctor’s frustration over her refusal to comply. The narrative underscores the powerful and enduring nature of a mother’s love, even in the face of societal norms or medical recommendations.

Mothering and Its Demands of Sacrifice

Mothers, particularly when it comes to their daughters, embody a spirit of sacrifice, as demonstrated by Kincaid’s portrayal of a maternal figure who has already sacrificed much to raise her daughter. The extensive harangue, serving as a treatise for her daughter, reveals the wealth of experience the mother has accumulated. Her primary objective is to ensure her daughter’s success in life, even if she herself has not achieved it. The advice on dealing with men, expressed as “this is how to make both ends meet,” reflects the mother’s upbringing in challenging circumstances, illustrating the necessary skills a girl should acquire (Kincaid 321).

Similarly, in “Birth,” the mother remains unyielding to the doctor’s and nurse’s recommendations. Even when the doctor attempts an intervention, she fiercely rebukes him. Her sacrifice is evident as she endures internal fires, bruises, and pain, yet refuses to hasten the delivery of her baby into the world before its time (Nin 590). The mother, akin to Kincaid’s character, aims to prepare her daughter for the world, recognizing that even in death within her womb, the baby should at least be perfectly formed (Nin 591). This act serves as a source of solace, affirming that her daughter remains a complete and beautiful entity.

Mothering and Its Demands

Mothers, whether in the act of giving birth or imparting advice, exhibit a tendency toward repetition, inherent in their nurturing nature as architects of the future generation. This inclination to reiterate serves as a mechanism to ensure the well-being of their children, demonstrating a belief that repetition is integral to instilling values and lessons. In Kincaid’s narrative, the mother invests her entire life into a brief lecture characterized by numerous repetitions—guiding her daughter on various tasks and behaviors. For instance, when advising on ironing clothes, she repeats phrases like “this is how you iron your father’s khaki shirt” and “this is how you iron your father’s khaki pants,” emphasizing the importance of repetition in imparting crucial values (Kincaid 320).

Similarly, the mother in “Birth” not only repeats her own thoughts but also anticipates and repeats what she is going to say. Phrases like “I push,” “he is angry,” “doctor says,” and the repeated insistence of “Show it to me” underscore the pervasive use of repetition (Nin 590-591). This rhetorical device appears ingrained in the essence of motherhood, a tool passed down through generations, possibly by nature itself, as mothers play a pivotal role in training and teaching the future generation. While mothers may have various tools in their caregiving arsenal, the tool of repetition serves as a powerful means to convey the intensity of a mother’s care and concern for her children.

Conclusion: Mothering and Its Demands

In short, both feminist writers, Anais Nin and Jamaica Kincaid, infuse their motherly perspectives into their respective stories. The universality of their messages is accentuated by the deliberate portrayal of mothers as anonymous figures, enhancing the effectiveness of their narratives. The absence of specific names for the mothers makes the messages universally relatable, as the figure of a mother carries inherent significance and resonance for everyone. The sacrificial nature of a mother’s love, evident in both “Birth” and “Girl,” positions them as exemplars of maternal devotion. The mothers in these stories not only embody profound love but also impart crucial skills to their daughters, utilizing rhetorical tools to convey essential life lessons. Despite the universality of the theme, both writers present the character of the mother uniquely. “Girl” unfolds as a continuous harangue, an unceasing flow of maternal guidance, while “Birth” takes the form of a one-sided monologue detailing the experience of the first childbirth, capturing the mother’s extreme pain. The authors skillfully emphasize the distinctive aspects of the mother’s character while ensuring that the portrayal remains universally resonant.

Works Cited: Mothering and Its Demands

1. Nin, Anais. “Birth.” From Charters, Ann. Ed. The Story and Its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction. 6^th Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2003. Print. 588-591.
2. Kincaid, Jamaica. “Girl.” From Charters, Ann. Ed. The Story and Its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction. 6^th Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2003. Print. 320-321.

Relevant Questions: Mothering and Its Demands

1. How do the stories “Birth” by Anais Nin and “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid explore the challenges and demands of motherhood?
2. What cultural and societal influences are depicted in the stories that shape the expectations and roles of mothers in “Birth” and “Girl”?
3. How do the protagonists in “Birth” and “Girl” navigate the complexities of their roles as mothers, and what do their experiences reveal about the broader themes of femininity and identity within Mothering and Its Demands?