The Girl Who Can summary and critical analysis

 

Introduction

The Girl Who Can explores how traditional societies often define a woman’s role solely as a child-bearer. The author, Ama Ata Aidoo, challenges this narrow perception through the story of Adjoa, a spirited seven-year-old girl. Her physical appearance, particularly her thin legs, becomes a point of criticism from her grandmother, Nana, who believes that strong, wide hips are essential for motherhood. However, Adjoa's unexpected success in a running competition changes her grandmother’s perspective, subtly questioning age-old beliefs and highlighting the tension between tradition and modernity. The story presents a generational conflict between Nana, the authoritative grandmother, and Maami, Adjoa’s quiet, submissive mother.

Theme

The story reflects feminist concerns, examining the struggles of women to assert their identity in a patriarchal society. It presents a female-centered household consisting of Adjoa, her mother Kaya (Maami), and her grandmother Nana. Themes such as generational conflict, innocence, identity, freedom, insecurity, and female empowerment are central to the narrative. The story underlines how women, even from a young age, are subject to rigid expectations, and how these can be overcome through courage and personal achievement.

 

Summary

Adjoa, a seven-year-old girl, lives in Hasodzi, a lush village in central Ghana, with her grandmother Nana and her mother Maami. Although Hasodzi remains fertile even during dry seasons, the family deals with societal challenges rather than environmental ones. Nana frequently criticizes Adjoa for her thin, spindly legs, believing they are inadequate for childbearing, a key trait she associates with womanhood. She even blames Maami for marrying a man whose daughter lacks the "proper" physical attributes.

Adjoa, though young, begins to question these beliefs. She is curious about what “proper” legs look like and attempts to observe the women in her village, but cultural norms restrict her movements. Despite constant criticism, Adjoa enjoys going to school and walking the five kilometers each day. She has consistently won school races, without the knowledge of their family . When selected to represent her school at the District Sports Week, Nana is both surprised and proud. She even washes and irons Adjoa’s uniform, silently reevaluating her opinion.

Adjoa wins the junior category and brings home a trophy. Nana carries the cup as if it were a precious child. For the first time, she acknowledges that thin legs can also be valuable, not for bearing children, but for running. Through this moment, the narrative shows a quiet yet powerful realization: a woman’s worth is not limited to motherhood.

 

Title Analysis

The title The Girl Who Can encapsulates the story’s message of potential and empowerment. Adjoa, despite being judged by outdated standards, proves her abilities through resilience and achievement. Her victory is not just in athletics, but in challenging deeply rooted gender norms. The phrase “who can” implies possibility and capability, affirming that a girl, regardless of physical traits, can succeed on her own terms. It celebrates inner strength, ambition, and the refusal to be defined by tradition.

 

Setting

The story is set in Hasodzi, a fertile region in post-colonial Ghana. This rural village, rich in natural resources, contrasts with the restrictive societal attitudes that prevail within it. The setting highlights the paradox of abundance in nature versus limitation in culture. Adjoa’s environment is shaped by a dominant grandmother who represents traditional values, and a silent mother who submits to them. Amidst this, Adjoa becomes a symbol of change and possibility. The setting reinforces the social commentary: even in the most conservative spaces, transformation is possible through individual action and belief.

 

Postcolonial Features in the Story

Cultural Transition and Identity Conflict
The story is set in a society caught between traditional African customs and the influences of Western modernity. Adjoa, as a young Ghanaian girl, becomes a symbol of this transitional space, she is rooted in her native culture but aspires toward a future that embraces individuality and capability beyond traditional roles.

Tension Between Generations
The clash between Nana (grandmother) and Maami (mother) reflects postcolonial tensions. Nana represents the pre-colonial or early colonial mindset that places women’s worth in childbearing, while Maami and Adjoa signify a shift toward modern values. This generational divide illustrates the struggle of postcolonial societies to redefine identity beyond inherited colonial and patriarchal frameworks.

Language and Subtle Resistance
The story is written in English but preserves African sensibilities and storytelling methods. This use of language reflects a postcolonial reclaiming of voice appropriating the colonial language to tell indigenous stories from an African perspective.

Empowerment Through Education and Achievement
Adjoa’s journey reflects the postcolonial ideal of self-empowerment through education and personal merit. Her participation and success in the district sports event symbolize a break from communal expectations and the rise of individual accomplishment, challenging colonial hierarchies that once devalued African capabilities.

 

 

Feminist Features in the Story

Critique of Gender Roles and Body Politics
Aidoo uses the motif of Adjoa’s "thin legs" to challenge the restrictive, physical definitions of womanhood. Nana believes a woman’s body must be suitable for childbearing, equating worth with reproductive potential. Through Adjoa’s athletic success, the story asserts that a woman’s body can have value beyond motherhood.

Three Generations of Women as Feminist Spectrum
The female triad—Adjoa, Maami, and Nana—represents a spectrum of feminist positions:

• Nana: Upholds traditional, patriarchal norms.
• Maami: Represents silent resistance and emotional support.
• Adjoa: Embodies emerging feminist consciousness through her desire to speak, run, and be recognized for her abilities.

Voice and Silencing
A recurring feminist concern in the story is the silencing of women, especially young girls. Adjoa often refrains from expressing her thoughts due to ridicule or dismissal. This reflects how patriarchal systems discourage women from speaking out. Yet, through action rather than argument, she asserts her worth and changes perceptions.

Female Solidarity and Change
Though Nana initially criticizes Adjoa, her eventual emotional acknowledgment ("thin legs can be useful too") signals a softening of patriarchal rigidity. This transformation suggests that change is possible within women-centered spaces, and feminist progress can emerge through intergenerational understanding.

 

“I was seven years old when I stopped being a child.”

 

“I do not always know what to think because I am only seven years old and I do not always know what I see.”

“My grandmother says that any healthy, well-brought-up girl should have legs just like hers...”

“Thin legs can be useful too.”

 

Character Sketches

Adjoa

• Age: 7 years old
• Traits: Curious, introspective, sensitive, observant, and quietly defiant

Significance: Symbolizes modern womanhood and emerging individuality. Adjoa’s journey from self-doubt to confidence reflects the larger struggle of women to be seen for their abilities beyond traditional roles.

 

Nana (Grandmother)

• Traits: Traditional, strong-willed, vocal, critical

Role: Represents conservative gender norms that value women mainly for their maternal capabilities. However, she is not rigid—her change of heart by the end suggests the possibility of transformation even in the most conservative characters. 

Maami (Kaya)

• Traits: Gentle, submissive, quiet, observant
• Role: Acts as a mediator between Adjoa and Nana. Her silence may be read as weakness or as strategic non-confrontation. She subtly supports Adjoa but allows her to fight her own battles.