Girl

The Girl is depicted in this story as one who is the extreme product of alienated labor. She only receives directions of proper etiquette and manners for the sole purpose of making her presentable in a world that has been established on certain rules and laws by which manners are run. In other words, it is the person that has given her these directions that is the result of cultural conditioning. It cares not for her wants and desires, and only wants her to find acceptance in the world around her. Being part of the social group as a whole is one of the main aims in the Marxist approach. Whether or not this Girl has any desire herself, her life is directed for the pleasing of others, giving no regard to herself as an individual.

The repeated comment about the Girl becoming the “slut I know you are bent on becoming” is a very harsh thing to say about someone. It points to the fact that regardless of the Girl’s wants and desires, her actions have been labeled and no matter what she does it’s all in pointing towards her becoming a slut. This of course is only held in the perception of the way society has deemed what a slut is, and therefore the Girl is a product of alienated labor. She must please those above her and present herself with the proper way to smile so she might find a suitable lot in life.