Exploring Cultural Identity: An Analysis of Danticat's 'Life in Story'

This essay analyzes Edwidge Danticat's "Life in Story," focusing on the cultural expectations imposed on young girls within Haitian culture. The essay argues that these rules, such as the "ten fingers" rule in the kitchen, aim to instill a sense of duty and perfection. It explores the tension between these expectations and the protagonist's desire to pursue her dreams, particularly writing, which is often disapproved of in the community. The essay also reflects on the theme of sacrifice, questioning whether individuals, especially women, should sacrifice their dreams to conform to cultural norms. The author relates these themes to personal experiences, highlighting the conflict between cultural expectations and individual aspirations. The essay concludes by advocating for the importance of pursuing one's dreams, even if it means challenging established cultural rules. Desklib offers a variety of resources, including past papers and solved assignments, to support students in their studies.

Running Head: LIFE OF STORY
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Life of story
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LIFE OF STORY
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Question 1
Basing my argument on Danticat’s text, the rules were imposed on the young girl for the
purpose of teaching her the expectation of any given woman in regard to Hatian culture (Salas &
Danticat, 2016). A woman is expected to be composed and carry her duties in the more
organized way. In focus to the kitchen duties, the rules are imposed on how she is supposed to be
using her ten fingers to carry all the duties within the kitchen and house. Use of ten fingers rule is
purposed I teaching the girl that she is suppose to carry her duties seriously and to the perfection.
The rule teaches the disapproval mechanism as a consequence if the girl does not perform her
duties well (Penrose & Kincaid, 2009). Another example is the lesson on perseverance. In this
culture and society, aspirations and perseverance are a key factor to embrace. In this case, the
Danticat having become no author teaches that all that we expect is not what we can get and
therefore there is a room for accepting the changes. In this case, the lesson on accepting and
moving on comes into place (Danticat, 1991).
Question 2
They are focused on first and second person narration point of view in which they are
more concern about young girl responsibilities and what it shapes her to be a responsible woman.
Danticat and Kincaid are in focus of woman nature and how a woman should be considered in
the community. Danticat is more concern about taking a different direction as a woman not just
what is expected by the as the Hatian woman (Janice, Kathleen & Stephen, 2014). What brings
tension in this narrative is that although they are bound by the rules, Danticat is more concern on
other direction as a woman and this could bring up changes of the rules of a woman in Hatian
culture (Spivak & Danticat, 2014). For instance, she is more willing to pursue her dream for

LIFE OF STORY
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writing which is actually disapproved in the community. Another example is the fact that she is a
woman who is not believing in the historical cages of the society but willing to bring changes.
Question 3
Discussing the life of Danticat, I can say that there are some of the culture-bound beliefs
in our culture which bound me to an engineering position. More of the expectations are looked
upon the girl. For instance, my culture community beliefs on the fact that young girl should
follow good steps from her mother and have a high level of respect for the man. I can relate this
to Danticat in which she bound by the rules which were set by others blocking her achieve her
dreams.
Question 4
Reflecting on the content on weeks 1 and 2, I am more concern in answering the question
on how the Danticat text reflects on sacrifices. I don’t agree with the fact that woman should
have sacrificed to the point of losing focus on her dreams. Actually is suggest that if what is
intended for sacrifice is not directing you to the destination of one’s dream, another turn is
important regardless of how it affects the rules set by the community.
References

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Salas, J., & Danticat, E. (2016) Women like us. In Neulieb (Ed.), Improvising real life Mercury
Reader LITT14310G Memoir: Life in Story (pp.89). Boston: Pearson Publishing.
Penrose, S. B. L, & Kincaid, J. (2009) Girl. In Neulieb (Ed.), As serious as your life: The story of
the new jazz.Mercury Reader LITT14310G Memoir: Life in Story (pp.56-89). Boston: Pearson
Publishing.
Spivak, L. E., & Danticat, E (Eds.). (2014). The American mercury reader: a selection of
distinguished articles, stories, and poems published in the American mercury during the past
twenty years (No. 2). AMS Press.
Janice, N., Kathleen, S., & Stephen, R. (2014) English Mercury Reader: ISBN-10: 1269281933 ;
( pp.1-656). Boston: Pearson Publishing.