Girl

Clothing in “Girl” is associated with domestic work, femininity, and sexuality. This motif develops the themes of respect and coming-of-age. Numerous chores the mother describes have to do with clothing. In fact, the first directive imparts the proper system of caring for clothing: “Wash the white clothes on Monday” (Lines 1-2). The second dictates when the colored clothing should be washed. The mother also describes to her daughter how to “iron your father’s khaki shirt so that it doesn’t have a crease” (Line 23) and how to do the same for the pants. Clothing is a vital aspect of the domestic chores the mother describes as it directly links the concept of work and the home with womanhood.

However, personal clothing can be dangerous and provocative or representative of self-care. The mother provides guidance on how to care for women’s undergarments, “little cloths,” during menstruation. The mother also instructs her daughter about propriety: “this is how to hem a dress when you see the hem coming down and so to prevent yourself from looking like the slut I know you are so bent on becoming” (Lines 20-22). Some clothing, like a “nice blouse” (Lines 10-11) is appropriate and modest. Other clothing, like a dress or skirt with a disheveled hem, could give the wrong impression of the woman wearing it.