"Gorilla, My Love," "Everyday Use," and "Girl"

In “Gorilla, My Love,” Hazel exhibits an uptight and stubborn attitude, especially toward those who are older than her. There is an obvious generation gap. Her Uncle and parents are more easy-going. They don’t appreciate confrontation and conflict the way that Hazel does. Her character is actually quite similar to Dee’s character, in “Everyday Use.” Dee demonstrates a proper image, whereas Hazel does not, but she also does not see eye-to-eye with her mother and sister. She does not like to be wrong, and it seems that she considers herself to be “above” the others in a way that transcends their generation. I think this could apply to many families - the modern versus the “old-fashioned.” This explains why children, especially teenagers, experience conflict within their families. Children are molded by the generation in which they age in, and since each generation is a bit more progressed than the next, it makes sense that there would be a conflict within the home (where parents grew up during a different time period).

In all three stories I side with the older generation. It is very apparent that the younger generation demonstrates a lack of respect for the elders, especially in “Gorilla, My Love” and “Everyday Use.” Dee is displeased with her mother’s humble living, representing a clash with modernity, while Hazel disregards authority in all instances. She will talk down to her parents, as well as adults (the matron, and manager, in the movie theater) if she is unhappy with something. In “Girl,” the narrator seems to overwhelm the “girl” with a lengthy list of manners, but for a good cause. The list of manners are relatable to a time period in which the narrator matured, and they seem to be misconstrued by the “girl.” When she makes a reference to how some things are to prevent her from becoming a “slut,” I feel that she is mocking the good intent of the narrator.