Annie John

The novel, Annie John, by Jamaica Kincaid depicted a mother daughter relationship that is not atypical for most mothers and daughters. The relationship between Annie and her mother, though, was unique in that most girls grow to relate more to their mothers, and often after rebelious period grow more fond of their mothers. This was not the case with Annie John. She was constantly emotionally distant from her mother. Throughout the novel it appeared that she wanted to get closer with her mother and reconnect, but something inside her was much stronger that forced her to pull away. For example, at the end of the novel Kincaid writes, "Big tears streamed down her face, and it must have been that - for I could not bear to see my mother cry - which started me crying too" (147). She loved her mother and was so distant from her at the same time; so much so that when they embraced it brought her out of this emotional state and back to her resentful feelings. Annie seemed to replace the lack of affection she recieved from her mother and put into an obsession with the girls her in class. This affection she felt for them replaced any emotionally attachment that she felt toward her mother. These relationships filled the void that Annie probably felt growing up; however, they filled the void only temporarily. Annie was looking for something more than what these girls had to offer. Her childhood "love" gradually became an annoyance that Annie could hardly stand. This relationship suffered the same way her relationship with her mother suffered. These troublesome relationships affected Annie's evolving personality and identity. Annie became very independent, but longed for the affection and acceptance of elders that she encountered. It seemed that she was subconsciously attempting to prove her mother wrong if she could gain the affection and acceptance from other older women (i.e. her teachers and other people that had authority over her). In this way her mother would have no reason to disprove of Annie and her actions. I believe that Annie misunderstood several things about her mother. When Annie reflects on her dreams of her mother killing her and she killing her mother. She applies this to her own life and instances and tries to determine if it is either she or her mother who "wins". I do not believe that Annie's mother was ever out to intentionally upset Annie. She was doing things that she believed would protect and benefit her in the long wrong, and Annie did not understand these things. Overall the relationship between Annie and her mother is very troublesome that accounts for the relationships that Annie has with others. These relationships, including the one with her mother, cause Annie internal conflict that shapes her identity.