“Slut” and “lady” are the narrative’s two descriptors of the kind of woman the girl could become. This contrast suggests that there are only two modes of being a woman, and though Mother’s instructions are designed to help the girl become a “lady,” it’s clear that she believes that the smallest social error can transform the girl into a “slut.” Traditionally, a “slut” is a promiscuous woman, but Mother, whose voice dominates the narrative, never mentions sex. Instead, “slut” is a catch-all term that describes a woman who does not know how to behave in social settings. Mother invokes the threat of becoming a slut when telling the girl how to walk, how to tend to the hemlines on her dresses, and how to behave around strange men. Thus, it seems that every aspect of a woman’s life—her presence in public space, her clothing choices, and her speech—is touched by sexuality, even if she has no intention of being sexy.
Slut Quotes in Girl
On Sundays try to walk like a lady and not like the slut you are so bent on becoming.
This is how to hem a dress when you see the hem coming down and so to prevent yourself from looking like the slut I know you are so bent on becoming.
This is how you smile to someone you don’t like too much; this is how you smile to someone you don’t like at all; this is how you smile to someone you like completely; this is how you set a table for tea; this is how you set a table for dinner; this is how you set a table for dinner with an important guest; this is how you set a table for lunch; this is how you set a table for breakfast; this is how to behave in the presence of men who don’t know you very well, and this way they won’t recognize immediately the slut I have warned you against becoming.
Slut Symbol Timeline in Girl
