The Girl Who Can by Ama Ata Aidoo

Summary of 

“The Girl Who Can” by Ama Ata Aidoo

The story is narrated by Adjoa, a perceptive and intelligent seven-year-old girl from a Ghanaian village, Hasodzi. Although young, Adjoa is observant and thoughtful, often reflecting on the expectations placed on women in her community. From the beginning, she explains that she was born with exceptionally thin legs, a physical trait that sparks constant discussion among the adults around her—especially among the two powerful women in her life: her grandmother, Nana, and her mother, Maami.

The conflict over Adjoa’s legs

In their Akan culture, a woman is valued for her ability to bear children and work efficiently on the farm. Nana believes that strong, thick legs are essential for a woman to perform these responsibilities. She therefore criticizes Adjoa’s legs as “too thin to carry a pot” or to bear children in the future.

Maami, though less vocal, is caught between her mother’s traditional expectations and her desire to support her daughter.

Adjoa hears these conversations and begins to wonder about her worth. She questions why legs should determine a woman’s value and why people are so sure of what she can or cannot do. Her reflections reveal the pressure that cultural beliefs put on girls even before they understand those beliefs.

Adjoa’s growing awareness

Although Adjoa is not rebellious, she is naturally curious. She questions societal norms silently and tries to make sense of the idea that a girl’s body dictates her future. Her intelligence becomes clear as she observes that adults often speak with authority even about things they cannot fully know.

Despite the constant criticism, Adjoa does not lose confidence. Instead, she starts to develop her own understanding of ability and identity.

The turning point: the school running competition

A major shift in the story occurs when Adjoa’s school organizes a running competition. To everyone’s surprise, Adjoa runs with grace, speed, and natural skill—her thin legs become a powerful asset rather than a weakness. She wins the race, impressing not only her teachers and classmates but also the previously doubtful adults.

The victory challenges the community’s assumptions about what legs are “good for.” Nana, in particular, is forced to re-examine her traditional ideas about womanhood and ability.

Transformation of perception

The win makes Nana proud—though she pretends not to show it at first. Eventually, she realizes that Adjoa’s legs, though thin, are not a flaw but a unique strength. For the first time, she acknowledges the possibility that a girl can contribute to society in ways other than those defined by old customs.

Adjoa notices this shift and gains an even stronger sense of identity. She understands that people can be wrong and that worth is not determined by physical form but by one’s abilities and opportunities.

CHARACTER SKETCHES

1. Adjoa

Adjoa is the seven-year-old protagonist, intelligent, observant, and unusually thoughtful for her age. She is physically small, with thin, “spindly legs,” which become the focal point of criticism from older women in her family. Despite this, Adjoa displays a remarkable inner confidence and curiosity, constantly questioning the cultural norms that restrict women.

Her narrative voice, innocent yet sharp, reveals not only her personal confusion but also the broader clash between tradition and modern understanding. Adjoa symbolizes the potential of the new generation of African girls, who are poised to break free from oppressive expectations. Her triumph in running—an activity where her legs become her greatest strength—demonstrates her capacity to transform something mocked into something celebrated. Adjoa also shows emotional maturity; she observes her mother’s vulnerability and her grandmother’s rigidity with empathy rather than rebellion.

She stands for hope, change, and the dawning of a new female identity in African society.

2. Maa (Adjoa’s Mother)

Maa is a complex mix of strength and insecurity. She is a young woman living under the authority of her mother-in-law, Nana, and is constantly judged for the shape of her child. Maa often internalizes these criticisms, feeling guilty and inadequate, which reflects the entrenched belief that a woman’s worth is tied to producing the “right kind” of child.

Despite this pressure, Maa exhibits a quiet progressive streak. She does not scold Adjoa for asking questions; in fact, she respects Adjoa’s thinking and tries to protect her from Nana’s harsh words. Maa represents many women in traditional societies who are caught between two worlds: the weight of cultural expectations and the gentle pull of modernity.

Her pride at Adjoa’s athletic victory is more than a mother’s joy—it is a moment of personal liberation, as she realizes she has brought forth a capable, talented girl despite what society says.

3. Nana (Adjoa’s Grandmother)

Nana is the embodiment of strict tradition, a guardian of cultural norms in the Ghanaian village. She believes strongly in the physical expectations for women: wide hips for childbearing, certain proportions for beauty, and obedience in behaviour. Her criticism of Adjoa’s legs is not simply cruelty—it is rooted in her belief that a woman’s main role is reproductive, and anything outside that seems defective.

Nana is authoritative, vocal, and confident in her opinions. To her, tradition is not something to be questioned; it is something to be preserved. She represents the old order, resistant to change and suspicious of new ideas. Yet even she is moved when Adjoa wins the race. Her astonishment—almost disbelief—shows that even rigid tradition can bend in the face of undeniable talent.

Nana’s character reveals the generational conflict between old cultural values and emerging ideas about women’s identity and potential.

4. Adjoa’s Father (Minor Character)

Although he appears briefly, Adjoa’s father plays the role of the absent but permissive male figure. He allows his daughter to live with her mother and grandmother and does not interfere in the women’s domestic dynamics. His absence highlights how women often bear the entire emotional and cultural burden of raising children under traditional scrutiny.

He symbolizes the quiet acceptance of patriarchal norms, neither challenging nor supporting the women around him.

IMPORTANT Q & A (Exam-Oriented)

1. Why are Adjoa’s legs a source of concern for Nana?

Ans. Adjoa’s legs a source of concern for Nana because Nana believes that a woman must have large hips and strong legs to bear children properly. To her, Adjoa’s thin legs mean she will not grow up to fulfill the traditional role of a woman.

2. What is the central conflict of the story?

Ans. The central conflict of the story is between traditional expectations of women (represented by Nana) and the emerging modern identity of girls who can do more than merely bear children (represented by Adjoa).

3. How does Adjoa challenge societal expectations?

Ans. She excels at running—a physical activity requiring strength and speed—proving that her legs are not a weakness but a talent. Her success forces the elders to rethink their beliefs.

4. What is the significance of Adjoa’s victory?

Ans. Her victory symbolizes the breaking of cultural limitations placed on women. It also transforms her family’s perception, turning criticism into admiration and forcing tradition to acknowledge capability.

5. How does the story show generational differences?

Ans. Nana represents the older generation clinging to strict traditions; Maa represents a transitional generation; Adjoa represents the future—questioning, capable, and unafraid to break boundaries.

6. What theme does Ama Ata Aidoo emphasize through Adjoa?

Ans. The theme of female empowerment, showing that society often underestimates girls, yet they can excel when given space and encouragement.

7. Why is Adjoa’s narration important?

Ans. Her narration allows readers to experience both innocence and insight, making the social commentary more powerful. She questions things adults take for granted, prompting readers to do the same.

Questions and Answers (Q & A)

1. Why does Nana complain about Adjoa’s legs?

Answer: Nana believes a woman’s legs must be thick and strong to carry the body and to be fit for childbirth. She fears Adjoa’s thin legs make her unfit for the traditional roles expected of women.

2. What is Adjoa’s reaction to the criticism about her legs?

Answer: Adjoa listens silently and thinks deeply. She questions the logic behind the expectation that legs must be thick. Her internal reflections show her intelligence and independent thinking.

3. How does running change Adjoa’s life?

Answer: Running reveals Adjoa’s hidden talent and becomes a source of pride for her school and village. It proves that her thin legs are an asset, not a weakness, and it transforms how her grandmother views her.

4. What does Nana learn at the end of the story?

Answer: Nana realizes she was wrong to judge Adjoa’s worth by her physical appearance. She accepts that her granddaughter’s legs can accomplish something valuable, representing a shift in traditional thinking.

5. What themes does the story explore?

Answer:

Gender roles and expectations

Tradition vs. modernity

Individual talent and identity

Empowerment of girls

Breaking stereotypes

6. Why is the story narrated from a child’s perspective?

Answer: The child narrator adds innocence, honesty, and humour. It highlights how societal restrictions appear illogical when viewed through an uncorrupted mind.

7. What is the significance of the title “The Girl Who Can”?

Answer: The title emphasizes capability and empowerment. It celebrates Adjoa’s ability to rise above limiting beliefs and prove her worth through her own talent.

MCQs on The Girl Who Can

(Answer key provided at the end.)

1. Who is the narrator of the story?

A. Nana

B. Mother

C. Adade

D. Adjoa

2. What is Adjoa’s main physical characteristic that worries her grandmother?

A. Her height

B. Her long neck

C. Her thin legs

D. Her small hands

3. Nana’s concern about Adjoa’s legs is primarily connected to:

A. Beauty and appearance

B. Ability to run fast

C. Childbearing and womanhood

D. Dancing skills

4. Which character supports Adjoa and interprets her differently from Nana?

A. The father

B. The mother

C. Her teacher

D. Her neighbor

5. Where is Adjoa first recognized for her athletic ability?

A. At home

B. At school

C. At church

D. At a festival

6. What event makes Adjoa’s family rethink their assumptions about her legs?

A. Her illness

B. Her running in a school competition

C. Her accident

D. Her dancing performance

7. What theme is central to the story?

A. Wealth and poverty

B. Tradition vs. modern expectations

C. War and peace

D. Supernatural beliefs

8. Nana represents which viewpoint?

A. Strict adherence to tradition

B. Modern education and openness

C. Feminist empowerment

D. Western culture

9. Adjoa’s mother is characterized mainly by:

A. Harsh discipline

B. Emotional distance

C. Quiet strength and patience

D. Superior athletic ability

10. What best describes Adjoa’s personality?

A. Timid and withdrawn

B. Curious, observant, and thoughtful

C. Aggressive and rebellious

D. Selfish and proud

11. The story is set in:

A. Nigeria

B. Ghana

C. Kenya

D. Uganda

12. The title “The Girl Who Can” emphasizes:

A. Physical perfection

B. Ability that defies expectations

C. Domestic responsibilities

D. Social class differences

13. Adjoa’s grandmother often compares her to:

A. Famous runners

B. Strong village women

C. Her mother and other girls

D. Her cousins

14. How does Adjoa prove her abilities?

A. By excelling academically

B. By winning a race

C. By helping in housework

D. By resolving a conflict

15. The story encourages readers to:

A. Accept traditional judgments

B. Judge people only by appearance

C. Recognize inner potential and challenge stereotypes

D. Focus only on physical strength

Answer Key

1-D

2-C

3-C

4-B

5-B

6-B

7-B

8-A

9-C

10-B

11-B

12-B

13-C

14-B

15-C

More MCQs (10 Questions)

1. Who narrates the story “The Girl Who Can”?

A. Nana

B. Maa

C. Adjoa

D. The author

Answer: C

2. What physical feature of Adjoa concerns Nana the most?

A. Her height

B. Her thin legs

C. Her small head

D. Her long arms

Answer: B

3. According to Nana, what is the most important role of a woman?

A. Becoming educated

B. Running fast

C. Bearing children

D. Earning money

Answer: C

4. How old is Adjoa in the story?

A. Five

B. Six

C. Seven

D. Nine

Answer: C

5. Adjoa surprises everyone by winning a competition in:

A. Dancing

B. Storytelling

C. Long jump

D. Running

Answer: D

6. Nana’s worldview primarily represents:

A. Modern ideas

B. Western philosophy

C. Traditional beliefs

D. Feminist perspectives

Answer: C

7. Maa's attitude toward Adjoa is mostly:

A. Harsh and judgmental

B. Silent but supportive

C. Indifferent

D. Competitive

Answer: B

8. What does Adjoa finally prove through her achievement?

A. Her legs are normal

B. Her intelligence is superior

C. Physical appearance doesn’t define capability

D. Nana was always right

Answer: C

9. The setting of the story is in:

A. Nigeria

B. Ghana

C. Kenya

D. Uganda

Answer: B

10. A major theme of the story is:

A. Wealth and poverty

B. Gender stereotypes and empowerment

C. Colonialism

D. War and peace

Answer: B

10 ASSERTION–REASON QUESTIONS

(Answer format: A–D)

A = Both assertion and reason are true, and reason explains assertion

B = Both true, but reason does not explain assertion

C = Assertion true, reason false

D = Assertion false, reason true

1. Assertion: Nana believes Adjoa’s legs are a problem.

Reason: Nana values traditional female roles.

Answer: A

2. Assertion: Maa openly prevents Nana from criticizing Adjoa.

Reason: Maa always challenges traditional beliefs.

Answer: D

3. Assertion: Adjoa enjoys observing adults’ conversations.

Reason: She is intelligent and reflective.

Answer: A

4. Assertion: Adjoa’s running victory surprises her family.

Reason: They believed her legs were too weak for physical activity.

Answer: A

5. Assertion: Nana becomes proud of Adjoa after the competition.

Reason: She finally understands that every child must follow tradition.

Answer: C

6. Assertion: The story highlights the conflict between generations.

Reason: Nana and Maa belong to two different cultural outlooks.

Answer: A

7. Assertion: Adjoa lacks confidence throughout the story.

Reason: She never challenges her grandmother’s comments.

Answer: D

8. Assertion: The story critiques narrow definitions of femininity.

Reason: Ama Ata Aidoo advocates for breaking gender stereotypes.

Answer: A

9. Assertion: Adjoa wins the race because she wants to prove Nana wrong.

Reason: Her primary motivation is rebellion.

Answer: C

10. Assertion: Maa is a symbol of the transitional generation.

Reason: She balances respect for tradition with belief in modern values.

Answer: A