At the Bottom of the River is a collection of prose poems. They seem to be semi-autobiographical, reflecting Kincaid's own experiences growing up on a post-colonial island in Antigua. At any rate, that is the subject. Each of the poems builds upon the story of a young girl growing up on a Caribbean island and the emotional development which she accomplishes. All aspects of her life are explored but her relationships with her mother is especially central throughout the text.
"Girl" is written as a list of instruction from mother to daughter. She tells the girl how she should behave to keep herself respectable and safe in such a harsh environment.
"In the Night" details the various threats which arise when the girl takes a walk one night. Thinking about all the advice of her mother, she wonders what the roles of her mom, step-dad, and herself are in this strange world. She longs to know more about who her mother was before she entered the picture.
In "At Last" readers catch a glimpse of an intimate and sweet moment between mother and daughter. Upon being asked, the mother relates the story of her life up to the birth of her daughter. She honestly explains some of her fears and problems which she's encountered as a woman in society. In turn, the daughter confesses some of her jealousies about her younger siblings and their claim on her mom's attention.
"Wingless" explores the personal development of the girl as she seeks to establish an individual identity, independent of her mom.
As a declaration of independence, the girl leaves home in "Holidays." She starts working for an American couple as an au pair.
"The Letter from Home" shifts perspectives between mother and daughter. Mom writes to her daughter, bringing her up to date on the family she's left behind. She records a lot of chores which the girl has left for the others to cover and laments her "loss." While the girl is off doing what she wants, she's leaving a gaping hole in the family. Everyone misses her.
"What Have I Been Doing Lately" is told from the daughter's perspective. As she walks around, she contemplates what she sees and the various implications her surrounding have on her identity and life. She's learning.
In "Blackness" the daughter has learned enough about the world to realize that she's utterly, completely alone. Isolated and overwhelmed, she becomes depressed. She has trouble refocusing on the identity which she's been forging for herself.
"My Mother" explains the mother-daughter dynamic in full detail as the girl grows. The daughter wants to break loose from her mom emotionally and geographically. After all this time, her anger surfaces. She resents her mom's domineering nature and wants to be left alone.
The final poem, "At the Bottom of the River," is about acceptance. After many struggles, the daughter comes to accept her mother and her role in her own life. She embraces her newfound identity, realizing her place in the grand scheme of history. Looking to her surroundings once more, she see the forward trajectory of civilization reflected in all the material objects around her. Since humans have existed, they've been working toward something better, and the girl realizes that she's every bit a part of that struggle.
