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What is the symbol in Bernice Bobs Her Hair?

By Andrew Walker

The central symbol of the story, Bernice’s hair represents her femininity and selfhood as they waver between two different sets of values: those of her mother’s generation, represented by her long hair, and those of her own generation, represented by the bob haircut.

Which one of the following events in Bernice Bobs Her Hair is an example of a epiphany?

C. Bernice suddenly understands how others see her. The meaning of Epiphany is a sudden and striking realization, so the answer is C. because Bernice realizes that other people see her different than she sees herself.

What is the most significant conflict in Bernice Bobs Her Hair?

The most significant conflict in ‘Bernice Bobs Her Hair’ is between – Bernice and herself.

In what part of Bernice Bobs Her Hair does Bernice cut Marjorie’s braids?

As they’re talking, Marjorie cruelly shows off her long, beautiful, blond hair, braiding it in front of the mirror. Bernice imagines what everyone will say the next day, knowing that they’ll all be laughing at her.

What is the symbolic significance of Marjorie’s braids?

Fitzgerald describes the luxury of Marjorie’s braids as “like restive snakes,” a simile that gives Marjorie Gorgon-like qualities. Bernice realizes that Marjorie’s hair symbolizes power.

What is the theme of Bernice Bobs Her Hair?

Gender and Femininity. “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” is largely a discussion of the value of femininity, and of what society expects of a young woman in 1920s America.

What does Marjorie challenge Bernice cut her hair?

Bernice feels as “ugly as sin,” and regrets getting her hair bobs. Marjorie happy that she won Warren and all her friends back. How dose Bernice get her sweet revenge at the end of the story? Bernice gets her revenge by cutting off Marjorie’s braids as she sleeps.

Why did Bernice Bob Marjorie’s hair?

Marjorie tells various boys that Bernice never intended to bob her hair and that it was merely a ploy to attract their attentions. To prove Marjorie wrong, Bernice consents to be taken to a barbershop by Warren, Marjorie, and a coterie of admirers.

What happens at the end of Bernice Bobs Her Hair?

This is certainly one of Fitzgerald’s more amazing endings. It’s a bit of a shocker – the once quiet, sedate Bernice ends up running off in the dead of night, after brutally cutting off her wicked cousin Marjorie’s beautiful braids of hair, then rather maniacally giggles, “Scalp the selfish thing!” (128).

How is Bernice Bobs Her Hair ironic?

The irony occurs with the sudden reversals in the character’s behaviors. With the story being set in the summer, with young people flirting and dancing, one might expect a happy ending with people pairing off successfully. That is not what we get. The comedy aspect is depicted by the furor over the length of hair.

What is the setting of Bernice Bobs Her Hair?

Nameless Midwestern city, 1920.

What is the significance of Bernice’s last utterance scalp the selfish thing?

Her final line, “Scalp the selfish thing!” refers back to Marjorie’s pejorative comment about Bernice’s “crazy Indian blood”; through this parallel, Fitzgerald suggests that there’s something ancestrally savage about this new, liberated Bernice.