Bernice Bobs Her Hair; a story of deceitful actions

The history of the stereotypical “mean girl” dates back quite far. Now days, we picture the mean girls as tall, skinny, drop dead gorgeous, rich and popular girls who have boys drooling over them.  Often times, these girls are insecure about them selves and direct their unhappiness at others. F. Scott Fitzgerald was an author of the Jazz Age. During the 1920s many people were spending lots of money for expensive goods because their husbands and families were coming home from war. Towards the end of the 1920s the economy saw a slow decrease in profit and in 1929, the stock market crashed. This would take the country into depression. F. Scott Fitzgerald often writes about societies search for popularity and prosperity. Often times, Fitzgerald tells stories of extravagant, and luxurious young people who are searching for happiness in the inanimate objects in life. These stories often related to Fitzgerald, his wife and their friends.

Bernice Bobs Her Hair was published in 1920. It tells the story of a young, plain, quiet, rich girl who is happy with who, she is until she goes to visit her cousin, Marjorie. Marjorie is an outgoing, happy, extravagant woman who fits the stereotypical idea of a 1920s girl. Marjorie has a boy drooling after her that she keeps leading on and then breaking his heart. When Bernice comes to visit, Marjorie tells her that she is going to change her into a social girl that can talk to boys without making a fool of herself. Bernice hears Marjorie talking to her mother about how much an embarrassment she is. Bernice over hears this conversation and in the morning when she confronts Marjorie about it they get into an argument. Bernice threatens to leave and Marjorie assures her that things will get better. However, Marjorie tells Bernice that, “ There’s some excuse for an ugly girl whining. If I’d been irretrievably ugly I’d never have forgiven my parents for brining me into the world. But you’re starting life without any handicap. If you expect me to week with you you’ll be disappointed.” Finally, Bernice realizes that Marjorie does want to help her so she gives in hesitantly.

Marjorie then goes on to teach Bernice how to hold conversations with boys, how to flirt and how to make herself more attractive to boys. The next time Marjorie and Bernice go to a party, the boys are very impressed with the new Bernice and start to take a liking to her. Warren, the “big shot” of the group who Marjorie has kept around for years starts to notice Bernice and when Marjorie realizes that Warren’s attention is now given to Bernice, she decides to embarrass Bernice by tricking her into bobbing her hair. After Bernice gets her hair cut, the boys suddenly lose interest in her. Bernice realizes she’s been tricked. People start to see Bernice’s hair cut as a bad thing because at that time, short haircuts were seen on only free women. During the 1920s being a free woman was not a good thing. So, Bernice decides that it would be a smart idea to leave town. As Bernice packs her bag, she decides to get revenge by cutting of Marjorie’s hair. “Down- stairs she opened the big front door, closed it carefully behind her, and feeling oddly happy and exuberant stepped off the porch into the moonlight, swinging her heavy grip like a shopping-bag. After a minute’s brisk walk, she discovered that her left hand still held the tow blond braids.”  As she runs to the train station, she throws the hair on Warren’s porch.

This story is a great lesson. It gives the message that young women should not give into peer pressure because it can cause heartbreak and get us into trouble. I would recommend this book to people, especially young girls. I would recommend this to young girls because it can show them that you don’t have to change for anyone, just be yourself. Although Bernice did give in and learn to be girlier, listening to Marjorie in the end got her a bad haircut as well as being back to not getting recognized. Be yourself and you will find your way. Happy reading!