A Walk to the Jetty

“A Walk to the Jetty” explores the idea that it’s often more complicated than it might initially seem for women to attain true autonomy in a patriarchal society. For instance, 17-year-old Annie seems on the cusp of achieving a sense of autonomy that will transcend the stifling expectations foisted on women in her Antiguan society. She is, after all, about to leave Antigua behind and, in doing so, perhaps avoid leading a life similar to…

“A Walk to the Jetty” demonstrates how growing up often requires young people to renegotiate their beliefs and identities. Straddling the line between youth and adulthood, Annie looks upon her current life with a critical eye as she reflects on the aspects of her childhood that she is impatient to leave behind. For one, Annie views her parents in a particularly cynical manner. While sharing her final breakfast with them, Annie focuses on how her…

Although Annie often finds her mother’s expressions of care somewhat hypocritical, memories of her mother are what most prominently come to mind as she makes her final walk through town on the way to the jetty. Annie does not understand how her mother can support her move to England when she once claimed that she could not live apart from her daughter, but as Annie recounts her most noteworthy childhood memories, it becomes clear—at…