- Gender roles: the story challenges the belief that a woman's body and life exist only for marriage and child-bearing.
- Education: school gives Adjoa knowledge, opportunity and the discovery of her talent.
- Tradition and change: the old view (Nana) gives way to new possibilities when faced with achievement and love.
- Self-belief: Adjoa trusts her own body and judgement even when adults doubt her.
- Three generations of women: the story shows love, conflict and solidarity among grandmother, mother and daughter.
- The voice of the child: adults silence children, but the child sees clearly.
7.1 Symbols in the story
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|
| Adjoa's legs | how society judges a girl's worth by her body |
| school | knowledge, opportunity, the modern world |
| running | freedom, ability, moving beyond old limits |
| the ironed uniform | Nana's new support and pride |
| the cup carried like a baby | achievement valued as highly as motherhood; tradition embracing change |
7.2 The child narrator and the oral style
| Feature | Example |
|---|
| storyteller's opening | "They say" she was born in Hasodzi |
| speaking voice | "never, never, but NEVER" in capitals |
| simple, direct judgements | "school is nice" |
| humour from innocence | Adjoa's puzzlement at adult rules |
| gaps the reader fills | Maami's silences; the absent father |
7.3 Significance of the title
"The Girl Who Can" stresses ability — what a girl can do, rather than what others say she cannot or should do. It answers Nana's doubts: Adjoa can learn, can run, can win. The title also suggests that every girl is a "girl who can" when given the chance.
7.4 Comparing stories in the syllabus
| Point | The Girl Who Can | The Last Lesson | The Elevator |
|---|
| child at the centre | Adjoa, seven | Franz, a schoolboy | Martin, twelve |
| attitude of adults | Nana doubts, Maami supports | M. Hamel and the villagers regret the past | the father mocks |
| role of school | opens opportunity | the last chance to learn French | — |
| ending | triumph and acceptance | sorrow and dignity | horror and suspense |
| shared idea | how adults' attitudes shape a child's life | | |