Away from home Quote by Jamaica Kincaid
“I had been a girl of whom certain things were expected, none of them too bad: a career as a nurse, for example; a sense of duty to my parents; obedience to the law and worship of convention. But in one year of being away from home, that girl had gone out of existence.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Lucy, by Jamaica Kincaid, 1990
A young woman sheds imposed expectations and discovers her own identity after leaving home.
In simple terms: She breaks free from prescribed roles.
Key Takeaway
Embrace self‑discovery beyond expectations.
Themes
identity
freedom
family expectations
self‑realization
Mood
reflective
conflicted
Type
narrative
personal
When to use this quote
- moving away from home
- career change
- family dynamics
- personal transformation
Key Concepts
feminism
personal growth
cultural norms
Questions to Reflect On
- What expectations still shape you?
- How can you honor family while redefining yourself?
A Different Perspective
Identity formation can be painful and socially risky.
![“I don't like being away from home. That's one reason why I don't work as much as I used to [when I started my career], because so many things are on the road. I just don't want to be away from my husband, my dogs and my home. I don't sing that much any more because that also takes you on the road.” quote by Jane Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07c/jane-powell-36243_away_i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s_278.jpg)
