Comparing 'Girl' To Rudyard Kipling's Girl

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¨If¨ by Rudyard Kipling and ¨Girl¨ by Jamaica Kincaid are both letters to a child written by their parents in the form of a poem. In the letters the parents set expectations the child is expected to follow in the future. They are very similar with some differences. The goal of this essay is to compare and contrast the two texts. The first difference is the tone the parents use in their letters. In “Girl” the mother puts her whole letter in one sentence. This gives off a very demanding feel. On the other hand “If” rhymes which makes it sound like the parent is very wise. In “Girl” the mother says, “this is how to make pepper pot; this is how to make a good medicine for a cold; this is how to make a good medicine to throw away a child before

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