What I Have Been Doing Lately, Jamaica Kincaid

Introduction The short story "What I Have Been Doing Lately" was written by Jamaica Kincaid, a renowned writer born in Antigua in 1949. Originally published in 1981 in the Paris Review, it later appeared in Kincaid's debut book, "At the Bottom of the River," released in 1983. The narrative revolves around a young girl who recounts a series of dreamlike experiences, including leaving her house at night, embarking on a nocturnal walk, crossing a body of water, and encountering a peculiar woman who inquires about her recent activities. Plot Summary The story begins with the narrator describing what she has been doing lately. It all starts one night when she hears the doorbell ring while lying in bed. Hastily, she rushes downstairs to answer the door, only to find that no one is there. Undeterred, she decides to venture outside and proceeds to walk northward, barefoot, while observing her surroundings. Eventually, she reaches a vast expanse of water that pos…