t e Memories of Childhoog (Zitkala-Sa and Bama) ut to them. Zitkala-Sa, the Native American Woman, writer from the marginalized class, , and Bama, the celebrated condemned dogma and were They do the same through the episodes included in "Memories of Childhood". Bama debunks the entire caste system and untouchability while Zitkala-Sa challenges the Prejudiced attitude towards Native American culture. However, both try to rise above the social barriers by working hard consistently and ultimately throwing away the indignities. THE CUTTING OF MY LONG HAIR Summary "Memories of Childhood" is a compilation of childhood experiences E of two young girls who fought courageously against the repressive forces defying all barriers and odds. The first episode, THE CUTTING OF MY LONG HAIR, is written by Zitkala-Sa who is a Native American,a ee ae 456 She recalls the time she had spent at the Carlisle Indian School which was administered by colonial powers. The indigenous students in this school were subjected to cultural violations. A young Zitkala-Sa talks about her first day when she found the ambience of the school as cold and insensitive as the weather outside. She felt lost amongst an alien culture and a language she did not understand. She felt as if her spirit wanted to tear itself in struggling butshealso knew that it was of no use. She describes the horror she experienced when the paleface woman, perhaps their teacher, took all the girls to the dining room. These girls had been made to wear stiff shoes and closely clinging dresses which was in complete contrast to their Native culture. The younger girls wore sleeved aprons and shingled hair. Zitkala-Sa felt ashamed, for her blanket had been stripped from her shoulders. But she noticed that other girls did not seem to be bothered about their immodest dresses. In the dining room she saw three boys entering at the opposite door. Just then a bell was tapped and each of the students drew a chair from under the table. Zitkala-Sa thought that this was a signal for sitting down and so she pulled her chair out and sat down. But when she turned her head she saw that everyone else was still standing. Then a second bell was sounded and all were seated at this signal. Then a male-voice was heard which could not be understood by the young girl because the language was unfamiliar to her. When she tried to look around to see who was calling, she saw that she was being observed by the white woman. Embarrassed, Zitkala-Sa dropped her eyes and a third bell was heard. Everybody picked up their knives and forks and began to eat but the hapless girl began crying out of fear. This ‘eating by formula’ was just the beginning of a hard day. i ludewin tald har that ohalhad au.the paleface woman talk about Cutting the long hair of these native is. This news was disastrous for Zitkala Sa because she had been | taught by her mother that only unskilled and captured warriors or -~ aourning women wore short hair, The two friends discussed their fate for some fime and when Judewin said that they shall have to submit, Zitkala-Sa asserted that she would rather struggle to defy such an act. She watched her tum for haircut and when no one was noticing she crept up the stairs and slipped under the bed in one of the darker rooms along the hall. The little girl watched from her hiding place and shuddered at the sound of every footstep. She did not open her mouth even when Judewin called. Finally she was spotted and dragged out while she kicked and scratched wildly in protest. All her efforts went in vain and her thick braids were gnawed off. She felt miserable and moaned for her mother in whose absence she had to suffer extreme indignities She painfully lamented being treated like an animal inaherd. GLOSSARY Bs betéty : art of the chutch tower where bells Hang Bed ate : sound ofhard objects striking Se cellar : — scene full of noise and confusion; choas . ‘a : : rigid « stiff es i icki ' : » tight fitting; sticking to the body and showing ° closely itsshape clinging a flat shoe made of soft leather e moccasin hit quickly and lightly . rane - indecently immode stopped d i ‘ e cease r , words spoken ina low voice, usually to onesaléLiterature Wompurmnm 2g 458 « venture todare to dosomething dangerous « shingledhair : crew cut hair; a woman's short haircut in which the hair is shaped into theshape ofaneck e squeaking shoes: shoesmakinga noise while in use « whither to or towards what place « huddled : curled (oneself) up « peered : looked searchingly; peeped shuddering : _ shivering with fear « closet : cupboard « gnawoff : (here) cut off e braids : lengthofplaited hair « indignities : insults anguish : mentaland physical pain WE TOO ARE HUMAN BEINGS Summary The second episode, WETOO ARE HUMAN BEINGS, is an excerpt from the dalit writer Bama's book "Karukku". Bama recalls the time when she was a student of class three. She had not heard people talk about untouchability but had begun to experience and observe the humiliation meted out to untouchables. She discusses at length her tendency to observe things minutely and shares with the reader the details of the market area that she had to cross on her way back home from school. She would take more than double of the usual time while passing through this territory, for the ordinary things like the shops, restaurants, jugglers, street plays, puppet shows, pongal festivities etc. would capture her attention. On one such day she saw an elderly man from her community who was carrying vadais in a strange manner. He was holding the packet‘ji : oo Gane oa “touching it. Bama thought that such a manner of reaching home, She vein lead to the contents falling off. However, on was a student at the ared the episode with her brother, Annan, who funny. But when i UNiversity. She told him that the sight was very odd behavious vn” brother revealed to her the reason behind the “r of the man, Bama was extremely angry. Annan told tly man was an untouchable and according to the in the name of caste system, his touching the vadais de them unfit for his upper caste master. At this point Bama questioned the system that denied the low caste even a basic right to be treated as humans. her that the elde customs practice, would have ma, Annan also told Bama about his own experience when one of the landlord's men wanted him to tell the name of his street as that would have disclosed his caste. However, as an elder brother he passed ona sage advice to his sister. He told her to work hard and progress if she wanted to be treated as an equal. She must study well and be ahead in all her lessons. Then the people of the upper caste would come to her of their own accord and attach themselves to her. Bama followed the advice of her brother and finally stood first in her class. e humiliated + insulted e dawdle along : moved slowly oddities : strange events or things . tospur : toencourage » lemur ; ananimal similar toa monkey parangue ‘ long aggressive speech | gmart + (here) feel sharp pain a tether : chain or tie up with rope savoury tasty( y (to be answered in about " words each) qu. Q3. Q4. How far do you agree that on the author's first day at school hs cold weather in the town corresponded with the cides atmosphere in the school? Or : of What does Zitkala-Sa remember about the first day in the land apples? Or (Foreign 2011) How did Zitkala-Sa's first day in the land of apples begin? (AI CBSE 2016) The author's first day at school, which was situated in the land of apples, was devoid of warmth or. affection. It corresponded with the cold weather in the town and was equally affectionless and dictatorial. The regimented discipline and unfeeling teacher disconcerted Zitkala-Sa. Why does the author feel "spirit tore itself in struggling for its lost freedom, all was useless"? Discuss. Deprived of the warmth of home, the author finds herself restricted by strict discipline and dictatorial regimentation of the school authorities. Her spirit wants to break loose the barriers and win back her freedom, but unfortunately she is helpless owing to her tender age, What are the views of the author about the dress code in the school? The author condemns the rigid dress code at school, The Indian girls wore stiff squeaking shoes and ‘closely clinging dresses,' The small girls donned sleeved aprons and shingled hair. ‘According t© the author, this was an: immodest ‘way of dressing. wy felt like sinking to the floor", ame » Says Zitkala-Sa. When did she ecieoan (AICBSE 2011)Q5. Q6. Q7. Q8. se she Was embarrassed when her shaw] Zitkala-Sa felt so becau: the new body- was removed and she was forced to wear hugging school dress. She felt like sinking to the floor while moving towards the dining-hall in this awkward dress. How did the author behave oddly inthe dining hall? The author was unaware of the rule in her new school where the students followed signals of ringing bells for dining activity. But the author sat down at the first bell itself and this seemed odd since others stood waiting for the next bell. Why did the author begin to cry in the dining hall? Or At the dining table why did Zitkala-Sa begin to cry when the others started eating? (AI CBSE 2016) The author was embarrassed because she had sat down to eat at the first bell itself. She was further terrified when she noticed a white faced woman glowering at her. Being a young new entrant she felt out-of-place and began to cry. According to Zitkala-Sa what did ‘eating by formula' mean? (AI CBSE 2016) It meant following the ritual of three bells - first for pulling out the chair, second for sitting on that chair, and third for beginning to eat. Being a native American, who was closer to nature, this regimented eating was termed ‘eating by formula! by Zitkala-Sa. In the words of the author '... eating by formula was not the hardest trial in that first day.' What other ordeal was in store for her? 'Eating by formula’ itself was a tough trial for the author but she was in for a harder trial. Her friend Judewin told her that their long hair was going to be cut, which would be more brutal“ pecause in the community of Native Red Indians short hair were worn by mourners and singled hair by cowards. Why did the author not want her hair to be cut short? Or (Delhi 2008C, Sample Paper 2015) Why was Zitkala-Sa so averse to having her hair cut? (Foreign 2011) The author was a Native American and in her community long hair was a symbol of bravery while shingled hair was a symbol of cowardice. Only unskilled warriors or those in mourning, wore short hair. That is why the author was averse to this cultural assault. Q10. What did Judewin tell Zitkala-Sa? How did she react to it? Or (AI CBSE 2011) Why was Zitkala-Sa terrified when Judewin told her that her hair _ would be cut short? (AI CBSE 2010) Judewin told Zitkala-Sa that she had overheard some women talking about the plan to cut the long hair of the native students. At first, this information elicited a horrified response from Zitkala-Sa because she Joved her hair more than her life. Loss of her hair would have meant loss of her identity. But later, she resolved to put up a strong fight against this injustice. QI1. What idea do you form about the author's friend Judewin from her comment about hair cutting "We have to submit, because they are strong"? Judewin's comment reflects the attitude that she has acquired from her elders who have already given up in this battle of unequals, Her statement highlights the plight of those on the margin who have been compelled to submit to the rigid and regimented life imposed by ‘pale face' people like those in Carlisle, Q12. How did Zitkala-Sa try to prevent the shingling of her hair? (Delhi 2009)Q13. Qi5. Zitkala carefully waited for her turn for haircut and quietly slipped away when no one was watching, She crept up the stairs and found a large room which was dark because the curtains were drawn. She hid herself under the bed farthest from the door and thus tried to prevent the shingling of her hair. The author and her friend Judewin have contrasting views about hairshingling. Do you think their reactions spell out the difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary? The difference in reactions by the author and her friend establish the difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary. An ordinary person submits without putting up a fight whereas an extraordinary person struggles even in the face of adversity. . What did Zitkala-Sa feel when her long hair was cut? (Delhi 2011) Zitkala-Sa felt deeply anguished and ashamed after her hair was cut because her culture considered short hair to be sign of cowardice or mourning. She longed for the comforting embrace of her mother as she felt having been driven likea herder. From your study of the episode and the intensity with which the author misses her mother, what idea do you form about the role of amother ina child's life? The author remembered her mother, who had always guided and shielded her, when all efforts against getting her hair shingled failed. This incident shows that a mother wields a very important influence on the life of a child and is her perennial friend and a saviour. . At the time of taking breakfast the author wore moccasins; but Jater on they were changed to ‘squeaking shoes'. What reason do you assign to this change? Moccasins are soft leather shoes with a puckered seam They are indigenous shoes of the Native Americans But the school's irises ai| dress code was authoritarian and antagonistic to the Natives and hence the author's pair was forcibly taken away from her. ; 7, How would you interpret the author's statement, ".... now Iwas oe only one of many little animals driven by a herder." The authorities of Carlisle Indian School refused to acknowledge the fact that each child had a unique personality. They controlled them in a regimented manner as if they were members of some animal herd. So the author rightly felt that she was being "driven by the herder." Q18. "In spite of myself, I was carried downstairs and tied fast in a chair." Why do you think the author uses the expression "In spite of myself...." here? The author's mother had advised her to be a fighter in life and never to submit tamely. The child tried her best and used all weapons in her kitty to escape being shingled, hence the use of the expression, "in spite of myself". ~ Q19. How do you account for Bama's statement "I hadn't yet heard people speak openly of untouchability"? t The author is a student of class three and her young mind is too innocent to comprehend the true intentions of people or interpret their discriminatory behaviour. Untochability is legally an offence, so there was no chance of learning about it by way of verbal expression. Q20. Why did it take Bama nearly one hour to covera distance needing just ten minutes walking? Or Why did Bama reach home late after school? (Outside 2015C) Bama was acurious girl and a keen observer. The market and its activities gripped her attention and she would keenly h watclthese otherwise ordinary and insignificant scenes. Thus, she took a lot of time to cover the small distance that needed just ten minutes walking. Q21. What were the articles in the stalls and shops that fascinated Bama on her way back from school? (AI CBSE 2013) Bama was fascinated by the stalls that sold dried fish, sweets, and fried-snacks. The wild lemurs, needles, clay beads, and instruments for cleaning ears also intrigued her. She was also attracted by waiters cooling the coffee and chopping up onion. Q22. What sort of shows or entertainment attracted Bama? (AI2013) Bama was attracted by the shows of the snake-charmer, the street plays, the puppet shows, and the performance by stunt artists. The humdrum and buzzing activities in the bazaar kept her glued for long. Q23. What idea do you form about the bazaar as described by the little girl? It is a typical Indian bazaar with rows of shops and roadside vendors. There is a lot of noise and chaos and it is always buzzing with activities. It has a lot of entertainment to offer with its fascinating view of shops, restaurants, dance, magic and stunt shows. Q24. What importance would you attach to the 'pongal offerings being cooked in front of the temple’? The pongal offerings spell out the importance of people's religious faith. The offerings being cooked in front of the temple tell us that the peasants have harvested and garnered their crop and would be selling the produce after paying obeisance to the deity. Q25. While describing the activities going on under the supervision of the landlord, the girl adds "Our people were hard at work..." How 4 would vou interoret the exnrecian 'aurneanle!'? llQ26. Q27. Q28. 29. ee dae of the fact that she belongs to the uundet, have to slo nie and the people belonging to her community calls then 5 in order to make both ends meet. Thus she rightly Our people’. ole Bama first come to know of the social discrimination 'y the people of her community? (Dethi 2009) One day Bama saw an elderly man RoR her ‘community Cattying vadais for the landlord in a strange manner so 4S to avoid touching them. Asa student of third class, she found this comic till her elder brother Annan told her about the horrible Practice of social discrimination that compelled the man to adopt such a strange manner of walking. What made the little girl want to double up with laughter at the sight of the strange man? It was amusing for the little girl to find a grow! carrying a small packet by its strings without touching it. The manner in which he walked and the fashion in which he carried the packet was very funny, so she wanted to double up with m up elder laughter. ‘The little girl told her brother that the grown up man made sucha game out of carrying the parcel, Can you spell out the real reason of his carrying the packet in that manner? ‘The grown-up man belonged to the marginalised community and was aware that he was not supposed to touch the packet of eatables meant for his master who belonged to an upper caste, Go, caution mixed with care made him carry the packet in that fashion, Describe the experience Bama had on her way back home which made her feel sad? (Foreign 2009) One day, on her way back home from school, Bama saw an elder 3of her street carrying vadais in a strange manner for the landlord, He was very careful about not touching the vadais while carrying them. On reaching home she shared this experience with Annan who told her the sad truth about their low caste and the inhuman treatment meted out to them by the upper caste people. This made Bama feel sad. Q30. What impression do you form about the entire situation from the strange and humiliating manner in which the man was walking and carrying the eatables? The way one of the elders of Bama's community was made to carry the vadais suspended from a string is very humiliating. This strange manner was thrust on him to prevent the supposed polluting of sweets by his mere touch. The whole incident shows the brutal exploitation of the low castes and devoiding their poor lives of human dignity. Q31. Who was Annan? What episode of discrimination did he narrate to Bama? Why? Or Why did the landlord's man ask Bama's brother on which street he lived? What was the significance? Annan was Bama's elder brother who was studying in a university. He told Bama that one day, when he was returning home from the library, one of the landlord's men came up behind him and thinking him to be unfamiliar asked him his name. Immediately afterwards, the man asked him the name of the street where he lived because if he knew on which street Annan lived, he would get to know his caste too. Annan narrated this episode to Bama to make her aware of the humiliation suffered by low caste people due to untouchability. Q32. What advice did Annan give to Bama? How did his words of advice affect her life?Q33. What was the advice th: = at Annan gave to Bama? Did she follow it? i ‘(AI CBSE 2011) becker eet Barna to study with care, learn all she could, and er lessons. Hard work and learning alone could make her win respect, dignity and acceptance from others. Bama took her brother's advice seriously, studied really hard and stood firstin her class. What lesson do you learn from the episode "We Too Are Human Beings"? "We Too Are Human Beings" teaches us the lesson that all human beings are equal and each one of us has right to dignity, honour and self-respect. It also emphasizes the need of eradicating evils like untouchability and discriminatory, practices. through education, empowerment and economic growth.