Class 12 English — Chapter 6: Memories of Childhood

What you'll learn

• ▸Cultural Oppression in 'The Cutting of My Long Hair'
• ▸The Symbolism of Hair
• ▸Resistance and Dehumanization
• ▸Bama's Encounter with Untouchability
• ▸Journey from Innocence to Awareness
• ▸Assertion of Human Dignity
• ▸Comparative Themes of Marginalization

Chapter Summary

--- PAGE 1 --- 6 12075CH08 Memories of Childhood Zitkala-Sa and Bama Before you read This unit presents autobiographical episodes from the lives of two women from marginalised communities who look back on their childhood, and reflect on their relationship with the mainstream culture. The first account is by an American Indian woman born in the late nineteenth century; the second is by a contemporary Tamil Dalit writer. Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, born in 1876, was an extraordinarily talented and educated Native American woman who struggled and triumphed in a time when severe prejudice prevailed towards Native American culture and women. As a writer, she adopted the pen name 'Zitkala-Sa' and in 1900 began publishing articles criticising the Carlisle Indian school. Her works criticised dogma, and her life as a Native American woman was dedicated against the evils of oppression. Bama is the pen-name of a Tamil Dalit woman from a Roman Catholic family. She has published three main works…

Practice Questions from this Chapter

Tap "Get Solution" on any question to ask our AI tutor.

1. Explore Native American hair traditions? Get Solution →
2. Compare different cultural identity markers? Get Solution →
3. Explain untouchability simply? Get Solution →
4. What is the pen name of the author Gertrude Simmons Bonnin? Get Solution →
5. On Zitkala-Sa's first day at the school, what covered the ground? Get Solution →
6. According to Zitkala-Sa's mother, who wore 'shingled hair'? Get Solution →
7. Where did Zitkala-Sa hide to avoid having her hair cut? Get Solution →
8. What did Zitkala-Sa feel had been stripped from her, making her feel immodest? Get Solution →

Did you know?

• 💡 Native Americans often consider long hair a symbol of spiritual connection.
• 💡 Ancient Egyptians sometimes shaved their heads and wore elaborate wigs.
• 💡 Some cultures traditionally link a person's hair to their strength and identity.
• 💡 India's Constitution officially abolished untouchability in 1950, making it illegal.
• 💡 Globally, more than 160 million children experience discrimination based on their birth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Chapters