Character Sketch of Zitkala Sa Memories of Childhood Part 1
 

Character Sketch Zitkala Sa from Class 12 English Vistas Book Chapter 8 Memories of Childhood Part 1 The Cutting of My Long Hair

 

Character Sketch of Zitkala Sa

The author Zitkala Sa, was a native American who was a victim of racism in the Carlisle Indian school at a young age. She faced indignity, discrimination and exploitation at school. She is caught in dogma because of the strict regulations imposed on her. Inspite of this, she is quite determined/optimistic to fight against the pale face women. She was forced to get her hair shingled against which she protested to the best of her capacity though she didn’t succeed. She is symbolic of all the native American women who were exploited at the hands of their masters. She suffered extreme indignities and felt humiliated.  She is very sensitive because at last, she comments that she is now one among the many animals driven by the herders.

 

Memories of childhood Part 1 The Cutting of My Long Hair Overview – The narrative “The Cutting of My Long Hair” illustrates the prejudice that the native American Indians experienced in the west, at the hands of the English. It highlights the evil of racial discrimination. The school officials made the writer wear western clothing and cut her hair. The anguish of a girl who was a part of the minority group at the hands of the powerful management. Her community believed that cowards got their hair cut. She opposed to getting her long hair cut but the mighty took over.

 

Related:  Memories of Childhood Part 1 The Cutting of My Long Hair Summary, Explanation

 

Some Questions on Character Sketch of Zitkala Sa

Q1 Why, do you think, was Zitkala-Sa so opposed to cutting off her hair?
Q2 How did Zitkala-Sa try to avoid the inevitable loss of her long hair ?
Q3 Why did Zitkala-Sa feel oppressed in the new establishment?

 

Related: Memories of childhood Part 1 The Cutting of My Long Hair Question Answers