Authors use different elements such as plot, dialogue, point of view, pacing, structure, syntax, and more to craft their narratives. In the short story "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid, we see the uncommon use of second-person narration to explore the childhood of a young girl. The reader witnesses a mother's point of view as she speaks to her young daughter, offering not only advice, but commands regarding her daughter's future. The entire piece becomes a form of dialogue where the little girl is listening to all of her mother's wisdom as she, too, becomes a woman.

At times, the structure briefly shifts as the young girl responds to her mother with italicized lines either defending herself or asking a question, but the sole purpose of the narrative is to reinforce all of the unspoken societal rules her daughter should know including how to act, speak, and respond to different life situations.

The weight of the piece, the gravity and severity the mother brings to the narrative, is shown through her barrage of commands and insults that never seem to end as the piece uses only semi-colons to drive the plot forward. While offering important life advice may be a sign of love, the tone and mood of the piece lack all emotion and compassion as shown through one command after another.

When it comes to the question of the reader, this could be a subjective answer, but the ultimate goal of any text using second person narration is to bring the reader directly into the experience. By using the words "you" and speaking directly to the girl, who in turn, is the reader, the reader is able to empathize with the girl's experiences, as they, too, are given the severe yet imperative advice.