Chapter 6 Memories of Childhood Class 12 Vistas English NCERT Summary

Chapter 6 Memories of Childhood Class 12 Vistas NCERT Notes

The Cutting of My Long Hair – About the Chapter

In the chapter “The Cutting of My Long Hair,” a girl share experiences of discrimination in the western world. The school authorities enforce a dress code on her, compelling her to wear western attire and have her long hair cut in an attempt to make her resemble an American student. This highlights the challenges and pressures placed on individuals from different cultures to conform and assimilate into Western norms, often leading to a loss of cultural identity.

The Cutting of My Long Hair – About the Author

Gertrude Simmons Bonnin was an extraordinary talented and educated individual who struggled and triumphed during a period of severe prejudice against Native American culture and women. As a writer, she adopted the pen name ‘Zitkala-Sa’ and bravely used her writing skills to shed light on the injustices faced by Native Americans and particularly criticized the Carlisle Indian School.

The Cutting of My Long Hair Class 12 Vistas English NCERT Summary

On her first day at the Carlisle Indian school, Zitkala is filled with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. She sees other Native Indian children being separated from their families and immersed in an environment that aims to strip them of their cultural identities. The school’s philosophy is centered around assimilation into American culture, as they believe it will lead to a better future for the Native Indians. However, Zitkala can’t help but feel a sense of loss for her own culture and wonders how she will navigate this new world that she finds herself in.

Zitkala expresses her deep discomfort and sadness when the school authorities forcefully remove her shawl before she can enter the dining hall. She is perplexed by the fact that other Indian girls willingly wear tight clothing that reveals their entire body shape, which she considers immodest. Zitkala also criticizes the girls’ short haircuts, believing that only cowards or mourners should have their hair shaved off, as taught to her by her mother.

After being brought to the dining hall, Zitkala and the other girls were under close observation by a pale faced woman who noticed Zitkala’s lack of adherence to table manners. Judewin, another Indian girl, informed Zitkala that as a consequence, the pale faced woman had made the decision to cut her hair.

Zitkala revolts against the circumstances she finds herself in. She refuses to appear weak or sorrowful, and instead takes refuge by hiding under a bed in an upstairs room. She is eventually discovered and captured. Her captors restrain her by tying her up and proceed to cut off her hair. This experience deeply affects Zitkala, leaving her feeling depressed and humiliated. She is reminded of her mother, who would have offered comfort and support during such a difficult time. Ultimately, feeling defeated, Zitkala surrenders herself to her oppressors, likening the experience to that of a tamed animal submitting to its handlers.

We Too Are Human Beings – About the Chapter

The chapter tells the story of a little girl who loves having fun. She loves to watch everything that goes on in and around her street. However, one day while she is observing an incident, she stumbles upon a shocking revelation about a social evil prevalent in their country – untouchability. This incident opens her eyes to the harsh reality of discrimination and segregation based on caste that exists in their society. The story explores how this newfound knowledge impacts the little girl and how she grapples with understanding and addressing this social issue.

We Too Are Human Beings – About the Author

Bama is the pen name of a Tamil Dalit woman from a Roman Catholic family. Throughout her career, she has written three significant literary works. Her first publication, an autobiography titled “Karukku,” was released in 1992. Following this, she published a novel called “Sangati” in 1994. Lastly, Bama released a collection of short stories known as “Kisumbukkaaran” in 1996.

We Too Are Human Beings Class 12 Vistas English NCERT Summary

Bama tells that she is a cheerful girl who enjoys observing the happenings on her street. Despite her school being only a ten-minute walk away from her home, she takes around thirty minutes to reach home. On her way home, Bama says she sees a monkey perform and a snake artist do something interesting with his snake that interested her. Then there was a biker who had been riding for three days. One well-known temple had a big bell and a man from the tribe who sold clay beads, needles, and other things. She also sees a number of snack stands and street performers.

Then she saw how people from different political parties would come to her street to give speeches. As she went on, she saw a landlord sitting and watching his workers do work in the field. As she went on, she saw an owner sitting and watching his workers do work in the field… Then she saw an old man of her community handling handle a snack pack in a very odd way and then give it to the owner. She laughed out loud because she thought it was so funny.

After arriving home, she excitedly shares the incident with her elder brother, unable to contain her laughter. However, her brother’s response takes a sharp turn as he reveals a harsh reality – that she belongs to a lower caste. He explains that the upper caste individuals hold prejudice against their presence and avoid any physical contact with them, fearing it would taint their purity. This revelation deeply annoys her, fueling her anger towards the upper caste and the discrimination they continue.

Following her brother’s suggestion, she diligently studies and becomes the top student in her class. This achievement not only earns her respect but also helps her form meaningful friendships with her classmates.