Summary and Analysis of The Girl Who Can by Ama Ata Aidoo

"The Girl Who Can" by Ama Ata Aidoo

Summary, Explanation, and Detailed Analysis

Ama Ata Aidoo, one of Ghana’s most celebrated writers, explores gender, tradition, identity, and empowerment in her short story “The Girl Who Can.” This coming-of-age narrative is told through the voice of a young girl named Adjoa, whose seemingly thin legs become a symbol for society’s expectations of women. Set in postcolonial Ghana, the story weaves together humor, innocence, and subtle social commentary to deliver a powerful message about female agency.

Plot Summary

The story is narrated by a seven-year-old girl named Adjoa, who lives in a small village in Ghana with her mother and grandmother. From the beginning, Adjoa is aware of how adults talk about her “thin legs.” Her grandmother, Nana, is especially critical, believing that a proper woman must have thick, strong legs to bear children well. According to traditional Ghanaian standards, thin legs suggest physical inadequacy and a lack of womanly strength.

Adjoa listens to these conversations with confusion, as she does not fully understand the cultural implications of her body. Despite the criticism, she is a spirited and curious child, eager to learn and prove herself. When her school organizes a track and field competition, Adjoa surprises everyone by excelling in running. Her thin legs, once a source of mockery, become her strength. Her victory forces her grandmother to re-evaluate her beliefs and even show pride in her granddaughter’s abilities.

In the end, Adjoa reflects on her changing self-image and the realization that there are many ways to be strong and capable. The story closes on a hopeful note, emphasizing personal growth and challenging restrictive gender roles.

Character Analysis

Adjoa

Adjoa is the central figure and narrator of the story. Her innocent and observant voice offers a window into how children internalize societal expectations. Though she is young, she questions the logic of adult views, especially those concerning her body. Her quiet resilience, curiosity, and eventual triumph on the running field symbolize the emergence of self-belief in the face of criticism.

Nana (Grandmother)

Nana represents the traditional worldview. Her beliefs are deeply rooted in cultural expectations of femininity, motherhood, and physical traits. She criticizes Adjoa’s legs not out of malice but from a belief in tradition. Over time, however, Nana’s reaction to Adjoa’s success shows a capacity for change, illustrating the possibility of generational transformation.

Adjoa’s Mother

Adjoa’s mother remains largely silent in the narrative but represents a transitional figure—caught between tradition and modernity. She does not defend Adjoa as vocally as one might expect, suggesting either passivity or quiet resistance to Nana’s dominant voice. Her presence helps shape Adjoa’s understanding of family dynamics and womanhood.

Thematic Analysis

1. Gender Expectations and the Female Body

The central conflict revolves around what a girl’s body should be like. Adjoa’s thin legs are scrutinized for their supposed inadequacy. The focus on her physical appearance highlights the gendered expectations placed upon female bodies in many traditional societies. The story critiques the way such expectations limit girls and pressure them into conforming from a young age.

"I don't understand why grown-ups are always talking about legs and what they can or cannot do."

This line encapsulates Adjoa's frustration and signals the story’s core concern—why physical traits should define a woman’s worth.

2. Tradition vs. Modernity

Nana’s ideas reflect longstanding cultural beliefs about femininity, while Adjoa’s success in athletics represents a more modern understanding of female potential. The contrast between the grandmother and the granddaughter mirrors the tension in postcolonial societies between holding on to tradition and embracing new opportunities, especially for women.

3. Voice and Empowerment

Though Adjoa is only seven, the story is fundamentally about finding one’s voice. Her narration is filled with wonder, doubt, and emerging clarity. Winning the race is a turning point—it affirms that her body, just as it is, has value. This realization empowers her to define herself beyond the views of others.

4. Female Solidarity and Change

Even though the grandmother is critical at first, the story ends with her expressing pride in Adjoa. This subtle change suggests that generational views can shift. Aidoo does not present conflict between women as insurmountable; rather, she shows that understanding and pride can emerge from shared experiences and growth.

5. Coming of Age

The story is a classic bildungsroman in miniature. Adjoa begins the story insecure and confused about her body but ends with a sense of pride and possibility. Her transformation is emotional, intellectual, and physical. “The Girl Who Can” is about discovering that strength can take many forms, not just the ones prescribed by society.

Style and Narrative Technique

The story is told in first-person point of view, which gives it intimacy and authenticity. Adjoa’s voice is innocent yet intelligent, offering humorous and poignant observations. The simplicity of her narration makes the story accessible, while also subtly challenging deep-rooted ideas.

Aidoo’s language is unadorned but powerful. She uses repetition and dialogue effectively to highlight cultural tensions and character dynamics. The rural Ghanaian setting is vividly portrayed, grounding the story in a specific socio-cultural context.

Symbolism

• Thin Legs: A symbol of societal judgment. Initially seen as weakness, they later become a symbol of talent and potential.
• Running: Represents freedom, agency, and the discovery of self-worth.
• Prize/Award: Not just a trophy but recognition of ability, challenging assumptions of physical inadequacy.

Feminist Perspective

From a feminist lens, the story critiques the internalized misogyny and body shaming that women perpetuate on each other. Nana’s critical comments reflect how cultural beliefs about femininity are often passed down by women themselves. Yet, Aidoo also shows the potential for women to support and uplift one another once outdated notions are questioned.

Adjoa’s triumph is a feminist moment—it asserts that girls can be more than their appearance or reproductive roles. By valuing her athletic talent, the story redefines what it means to be a girl who "can."

Postcolonial Context

The story is set in post-independence Ghana, a nation grappling with modernization, colonial legacy, and cultural preservation. The characters symbolize this tension: Nana represents tradition, while Adjoa represents a new generation with broader possibilities. Education, sports, and personal ambition become avenues through which postcolonial identity is reshaped.

Conclusion

“The Girl Who Can” by Ama Ata Aidoo is a deceptively simple story that addresses complex themes of gender, tradition, identity, and empowerment. Through the innocent yet insightful voice of Adjoa, Aidoo critiques cultural norms that define women’s worth through their bodies and reproductive roles. By the end of the story, we witness a young girl’s emergence into self-awareness and capability, as well as a gentle shift in generational attitudes.

Ultimately, the story teaches us that there are many ways to be strong, and that true growth lies in recognizing and nurturing individual potential—regardless of what tradition dictates. Aidoo’s work remains relevant, not only in African literature but in the global conversation on gender and agency.