CLASS : XII SUB : ENGLISH

MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD

Introduction
The “Memories of Childhood", written by Zitkala-Sa and Bama has extracts taken from the writings of
two different female writers from the marginalised communities. In both these autobiographical
extracts, the writers narrate the painful experiences of their childhood when they were subjected to
humiliation merely as they belonged to backward tribes or communities. The former is a victim of
racial discrimination, whereas the latter is a victim of caste discrimination.
The first part titled ‘The Cutting of My Long Hair’ is by the extraordinarily talented and educated Native
American writer, Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (pen name Zitkala-Sa). Her works criticised the dogma
and the evils of oppression towards the Native American culture and women.
The second part ‘We too are Human Beings’ is written by Bama, a Tamil Dalit woman. This is an excerpt
from her 1992 autobiography, ‘Karukku'. This excerpt relates her first experience with untouchability.
THEME
The theme of the chapter ‘Memories of Childhood’ is the universal reaction of hatred and abhorrence
against class distinction and the indignities suffered by the oppressed class. This hatred has no barrier
of time and space. Right from the inception of human life on this earth there have been inequalities
and dissimilarities. Man is born equal but always finds himself in the meshes of superiority and
inferiority of seniority and juniority. The ruling and the ruled classes are an essential but unwanted
modes of human hierarchy. Wiping out of inequalities, shall usher in kingdom of heaven on this earth.
The two anecdotes speak of the revolt against oppression.
GLOSSARY
• belfry : part of the church tower where bells hang
• clatter : sound of hard objects striking
• bedlam : scene full of noise and confusion; choas
• stiff : rigid
• closely clinging : tight fitting; sticking to the body and showing its shape
• moccasin : a flat shoe made of soft leather
• tapped : hit quickly and lightly
• immodestly : indecently
• ceased : stopped
• muttering : words spoken in a low voice, usually to oneself
• venture : to dare to do something dangerous
• shingled hair : crew cut hair; a woman's short haircut in which the hair is shaped into the shape
of a neck
• squeaking shoes: shoes making a noise while in use
• whither : to or towards what place
• huddled : curled (oneself) up
• peered : looked searchingly; peeped
• shuddering : shivering with fear
• closat : cupboard
• gnaw off : (here) cut off
• braids : length of plaited hair
• indignities : insults
• anguish : mental and physical pain

WE TOO ARE HUMAN BEINGS

• humiliated : insulted
 • dawdle along : moved slowly
• oddities : strange events or things
• to spur : to encourage
• lemur : an animal similar to a monkey
• harangue : long aggressive speech
• smart : (here) feel sharp pain
• tether : chain on tie up with rope
• savoury : tasty
• stone ledge : a narrow stone shelf
• muzzled : guard placed over an animal's nose and mouth to prevent it from eating or biting
people
• provoked : annoyed, incited, imitated
• infuriated : angered
• scraped : accumulated money
• indignities : humiliations
• frenzy : a state of extreme agitation or uncontrolled emotion

Reading with Insight

1. The two accounts that you read above are based in two distant cultures. What is the commonality
of the theme found in both of them?
The two accounts given in the chapter ‘Memories of Childhood’ showcase the physical and mental
exploitation of women. Though both Zitkala-Sa and Bama are far away from each other in their time
and culture, they both suffer at the hands of the authorities.
Zitkala-Sa was a victim of cultural invasion and while Bama suffered class and caste discrimination.
Both of them were rebellious and refused to submit. Zitkala-Sa, kicked, screamed and resisted to her
hair being cut but had to give up. Similarly, Bama is furious to see her community humiliated but was
helpless. But they both reacted positively and became champions in their own ways.
2. It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted, but the seeds of rebellion are sowed early in
life. Do you agree that injustice in any form cannot escape being noticed even by children?
The world has been gripped in the web of stratification, oppression and discrimination at many levels.
While the adults have grown used to this, the innocence of childhood does not understand hatred and
prejudice. However, their keen observant eye is capable enough to notice any form of injustice and
discrimination. When subjected to such evil practices, their sensitive minds and hearts are deeply
affected. Perplexed, they often resist in their own simple ways.
In the lesson, the two girls describe their encounters with inequality. Zitkala-Sa, in the very first line
reports that her first day in school was “bitter-cold”. For her, it not only describes the weather, but
also represents the cold and unwelcome atmosphere of the boarding school. The overly disciplined
students of the school and the European staff were unfriendly or “cold” towards her, and the vain
struggle against her hair being shingled was a “bitter” experience for her. On the other hand, Bama
walked on her brother’s footsteps to protest against the practice of untouchability through education.
She studied wholeheartedly to reach a position where people would forget her “caste” and feel proud
to befriend her.
3. Bama’s experience is that of a victim of the caste system. What kind of discrimination does Zitkala-
Sa’s experience depict? What are their responses to their respective situations?
Zitkala-Sa is the victim of social discrimination beloging to a tribe of native Americans. The white-
skinned settlers consider local tribes as inferior. They treat them like animals. Both Bama and Zitkala-
Sa refuse to bow to the injustice they are subjected to. Both protest in their own way. Zitkala-Sa does
not want her hair to be shingled as amongst her tribe, shingled hair is regarded as a sign of cowardice.
She struggles with all her might, when she was tied to a chair. Towards the end, however, the little
one has to give up. Bama, on her part, decides to work hard in her studies, so that others realise her
worth and become her friends.