Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Bernice Bobs Her Hair

I enjoyed reading this short story. It was about a girl named Bernice who visits her cousin Marjorie. The two girls are polar opposites. Marjorie is flirtatious and popular while Bernice is boring and bland. After Bernice overhears Marjorie speaking about how embarrassing she is, there is tension between the two. Marjorie decides to give Bernice tips on how to become more desirable and interesting. She suggests that Bernice bobs her hair, a haircut which became more popular during the 20's. It went against previous standards and was considered scandalous. It took away the long traditional feminine hair that people believed represented natural beauty. It was looked down upon by many and no respectable or well bred woman would do this. It was a way of making women look younger and in a way more childish. This exemplifies Fitzgerald's theme of women's retraction into girlhood.

Bernice is an example of a girlish character. She does not act with proper poise like Marjorie. She acts less feminine. Bernice seems to be more youthful and untrained than Marjorie. Bernice believed that "giggles and tears" were an "indispensable factor in all feminine intercourse". When Bernice talks to boys she asks them about the types of cars they have rather than discussing her physical appearance and such. Marjorie views girls as foolish and stupid because of this. "Marjorie never giggled, was never frightened, seldom embarrassed, and in fact had very few qualities which Bernice considered appropriately and blessedly feminine.

In the end of the story, Bernice ends up bobbing her hair, much to her dismay, and it is a disaster. She is no longer beautiful and looks boring. She lost her womanly attractiveness and switched to a young girl-ish hair style.