Question

What is Kamala Das's critique in the line "I was a child, and later they / Told me I grew, for I became tall, my limbs / Swelled and one or two places sprouted hair"?

• A. She describes the physical changes of children without deeper meaning
• B. She reflects on the societal pressure placed on women as they mature
• C. She celebrates the joys of childhood innocence and playfulness
• D. She emphasizes the importance of education in a girl's upbringing

Answer 1

Answer:

B. She reflects on the societal pressure placed on women as they mature

• In this line, Kamala Das reflects on her physical growth and the way society observes and defines a woman's maturation process.

• She uses this moment to subtly critique how society scrutinizes women's bodies and expects them to conform to certain physical norms as they grow.

• The mention of "one or two places sprouted hair" alludes to the natural changes of puberty, but Kamala Das is aware of how such changes are often tied to expectations of femininity and womanhood, which can feel limiting and oppressive.