Memories of Childhood

Chapter: 

Memories of Childhood

Authors:

1. The Cutting of My Long Hair – Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin)
2. We Too Are Human Beings – Bama

✳️ Theme

• Autobiographical extracts showing the discrimination and humiliation faced by marginalized communities.
• Both writers recall childhood experiences that reveal the cruelty of prejudice—racial (Zitkala-Sa) and caste-based (Bama).
• Highlights the struggle for dignity, identity, and self-respect.

PART 1: 

The Cutting of My Long Hair

 – 

Zitkala-Sa

📍About the Author

• Zitkala-Sa: Native American writer, born in 1876, member of the Sioux tribe.
• Fought against racial discrimination and loss of Native identity due to white domination.

💡 Summary

• Describes her first day at a missionary boarding school run by white people.
• She feels confused and alienated—everything is strange: language, dress, rules.
• Her long hair (symbol of pride and culture) is forcibly cut—a traumatic experience.
• Symbolizes loss of culture, dignity, and freedom.

🗝️ Key Points / Keywords

• Imposed discipline – “Bell rang for breakfast.”
• Fear and helplessness – Hiding under a bed.
• Cultural shock – Strange surroundings, cold weather, unfamiliar food.
• Hair cutting = humiliation – Among her tribe, only captives or cowards had short hair.
• Loss of identity – Forced assimilation into white culture.
• Resistance crushed – Her rebellion ends in silent tears.
• Symbolism: Hair = pride, freedom, cultural identity.

🧭 Message / Moral

• Racial domination strips individuals of cultural identity.
• Suppression leads to deep psychological wounds.
• Cultural assimilation is a form of violence.

PART 2: 

We Too Are Human Beings

 – 

Bama

📍About the Author

• Bama (Karukku) – Tamil Dalit writer and teacher.
• Her writings expose caste discrimination and social injustice.
• “We Too Are Human Beings” is an autobiographical account from Karukku.

💡 Summary

• Bama narrates a childhood incident from her village in Tamil Nadu.
• As a child, she saw a man carrying a packet of food by the string (without touching it).
• Later, her brother Annan explained it was due to untouchability—he was from a Dalit (lower-caste) community.
• She realized the humiliation and inequality faced by her people.
• Decided to study hard to gain respect and dignity.

🗝️ Key Points / Keywords

• Curiosity → Shock – Childish innocence to painful realization.
• Caste discrimination – Lower-caste people considered “polluting.”
• Education = Empowerment – Brother advises: “Study and make progress.”
• Humiliation – Can’t touch food meant for upper caste.
• Awareness and resolve – Transforms anger into motivation.
• Social injustice – Based on caste hierarchy.
• Symbolism: Food packet = untouchability; education = liberation.

🧭 Message / Moral

• Caste system dehumanizes people.
• Education and awareness are tools for empowerment.
• Every human deserves dignity and respect.

Questions

1. What is the theme of the chapter “Memories of Childhood”?

Answer:

The chapter highlights the discrimination and humiliation faced by marginalized communities — racial discrimination in Zitkala-Sa’s story and caste discrimination in Bama’s. Both show how prejudice and injustice rob individuals of identity, dignity, and equality, and how awareness and resistance lead to empowerment.

2. Why was Zitkala-Sa unhappy with the cutting of her hair?

Answer:

In Zitkala-Sa’s Sioux culture, long hair symbolized pride and honor. Only captives or cowards had their hair cut short. When her hair was forcibly cut at the missionary school, she felt deep humiliation and helplessness. It symbolized the loss of her cultural identity and freedom.

3. How did Zitkala-Sa react to the attempt of cutting her hair?

Answer:

Zitkala-Sa tried to resist by hiding under a bed, trembling with fear. But the school authorities forcibly dragged her out and cut her hair. She cried silently, feeling powerless and crushed. Her spirit of resistance was broken by racial oppression.

4. What does the act of cutting Zitkala-Sa’s hair symbolize?

Answer:

It symbolizes the loss of cultural identity and individuality. The white authorities tried to erase Native American traditions and impose their own customs. It represents forced assimilation and domination over the Native people.

5. What was the incident that made Bama aware of social inequality?

Answer:

Bama saw an elderly man from her community carrying a packet of food by the string, not touching it, and giving it to a landlord respectfully. She later learned from her brother that this was because of untouchability — people from their caste were considered polluting. This incident opened her eyes to the cruelty of caste discrimination.

6. What advice did Bama’s brother give her and how did it influence her?

Answer:

Her brother Annan advised her to study hard and achieve education and knowledge to earn respect and equality. This motivated Bama to use education as a tool for empowerment and to fight against the caste-based injustice faced by her community.

7. Compare the discrimination faced by Zitkala-Sa and Bama.

Answer:

Zitkala-Sa faced racial discrimination as a Native American child among white people, while Bama faced caste discrimination as a Dalit in Indian society. Both were humiliated for something beyond their control — birth and background. Despite different contexts, both stories expose social injustice and the struggle for self-respect and equality.