Skip to content

Children Quote by Jamaica Kincaid

“Lucy, a girl's name for Lucifer. That my mother would have found me devil-like did not surprise me, for I often thought of her as god-like, and are not the children of gods devils? I did not grow to like the name Lucy-I would have much preferred to be called Lucifer outright-but whenever I saw my…” quote by Jamaica Kincaid
Download Open image
““Lucy, a girl's name for Lucifer. That my mother would have found me devil-like did not surprise me, for I often thought of her as god-like, and are not the children of gods devils? I did not grow to like the name Lucy-I would have much preferred to be called Lucifer outright-but whenever I saw my name I always reached out to give it a strong embrace.””

Jamaica Kincaid

About This Quote

Source Novel: Lucy, 1990

The narrator wrestles with identity, feeling caught between divine and demonic connotations of her name, seeking empowerment through self‑acceptance.

In simple terms: Struggles with name meaning, seeks self‑acceptance.

Key Takeaway

Embrace your name, define yourself.

Themes

identity self‑acceptance family spirituality

Mood

conflicted introspective

Type

personal reflective

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • family dynamics
  • cultural identity

Key Concepts

naming self‑definition empowerment

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does your name shape your self‑image?
  • Can you separate societal labels from personal identity?
A Different Perspective

Names carry societal expectations that can limit self‑growth.

3.1 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by Jamaica Kincaid

Explore all 228 Jamaica Kincaid quotes

More Children quotes

Browse all 62,402 Children quotes