QB Memories of Childhood (Zitkala-Sa and Bama) 12

 Memories of Childhood                    (Zitkala-Sa and Bama) 

Part I – The Cutting of My Long Hair (Zitkala-Sa)

1. Oppression – unfair treatment or control.

2. Imprisoned – kept like a prisoner, no freedom.

3. Disgrace – shame, loss of respect.

4. Resistant – not ready to accept something.

5. Indignity – insult, hurting someone’s respect.

6. Rebellion – fighting back against unfair rules.

7. Mournful – very sad.

8. Shingled – cut short (hair).

9. Wrung – twisted tightly.

10. Gnawing – painful, troubling feeling.

Part II – We Too are Human Beings (Bama)

1. Caste system – unfair division of people in society.

2. Untouchability – treating some people as low and not touching them.

3. Humiliation – feeling of shame and insult.

4. Despair – no hope, sadness.

5. Inhuman – cruel, not kind.

6. Injustice – something unfair.

7. Fascinated – very attracted or interested.

8. Resolve – strong decision.

9. Discrimination – unfair treatment because of caste, race, or gender.

10. Victim – a person who suffers harm.

1. How did Zitkala-Sa feel when her long heavy hair was cut?

Zitkala-Sa felt very sad and insulted. In her tribe, cutting hair meant a sign of shame or punishment. She tried to resist, but she was held down and her hair was cut. She cried bitterly because her identity was taken away. She felt helpless and defeated in front of the harsh rules of the school. It was the most painful and unforgettable moment of her childhood life.

2. What does “eating by the formula” mean?

“Eating by the formula” means eating food by following strict rules. In the school, children had to follow signals like standing, sitting, folding hands, and eating in a fixed order. Zitkala-Sa did not know these rules. She became nervous and made mistakes. She felt eating in such a mechanical way was unnatural and difficult. For her, it was one of the hardest experiences on her first day at the school.

3. How did Zitkala-Sa react when the long bell rang for breakfast?
When the bell rang, Zitkala-Sa became nervous. She could not understand the strange signals given for standing, sitting, or eating. When others stood, she sat down suddenly out of fear. She felt embarrassed because everyone else followed the rules, but she failed. She felt awkward and lonely in the strange place where nothing was familiar to her. It made her feel lost and small in front of others.

4. Why did Bama take half an hour to one hour to cover ten minutes’ distance?
Bama enjoyed walking slowly through the marketplace. She looked at monkeys performing tricks, snake charmers, and puppet shows. She enjoyed the sight of shops full of sweets and snacks. She liked watching plays and people selling things like fruits and vegetables. These little things fascinated her so much that she forgot about time. Instead of hurrying, she took almost an hour to reach home from school every day.

5. How did Zitkala-Sa find her new place?
Zitkala-Sa found her new school very strange and unfriendly. She missed her old life where she was free. The strict rules, the uniform clothes, and eating by formula all seemed unnatural to her. The biggest shock was when they cut her hair, which was against her culture. She felt humiliated and lonely. The new place gave her pain instead of comfort. She could not adjust to the strange surroundings.

6. Do children notice injustice?
Yes, children can easily notice injustice. They may not understand everything, but they can feel what is wrong. Zitkala-Sa felt insulted when her hair was cut. Bama felt angry when she saw untouchability in her village. Both were young, but they sensed the unfairness. Children have sensitive minds and notice discrimination quickly. They may not fight openly at once, but the feeling of rebellion starts in them very early.

7. Difference between Bama’s and Zitkala-Sa’s experiences of discrimination.
Bama faced caste discrimination in India. She saw how her community was treated as untouchables. Zitkala-Sa faced racial discrimination in America. She was forced to give up her culture and traditions. Both were humiliated in childhood but reacted strongly. Zitkala-Sa resisted and cried, while Bama decided to fight through education. Both experiences show that injustice hurts but also gives courage to resist and bring change in life.

8. Why is discrimination unfair?
Discrimination on any ground is wrong because it treats people unequally. It may be based on caste, colour, race, or religion. It takes away human dignity and respect. Discrimination creates pain, anger, and division in society. Every person has equal rights to live with freedom and honour. Stories of Zitkala-Sa and Bama show that discrimination hurts people deeply. It should be stopped for peace, justice, and humanity everywhere.

9. Why did Bama stroll in the marketplace?
Bama did not hurry home because she loved watching the busy market. She enjoyed seeing monkeys play, snake charmers, puppet shows, and people selling things. She loved looking at sweets and snacks displayed in shops. All these colourful sights gave her joy. They distracted her so much that her short journey from school became long. The market was full of life, and she loved spending time there.

10. Why did Bama decide to fight against untouchability?
Bama once saw an elder carrying food for an upper-caste man without touching it, holding it by a string. She felt insulted when her brother explained it was untouchability. She realized how humiliating it was for their community. Her brother told her that education could end such injustice. Bama decided to study hard, gain respect, and fight against caste discrimination. She chose education as her weapon against oppression.

11. Differences between Zitkala-Sa and Bama.
Zitkala-Sa belonged to the Native American Sioux tribe. She suffered from racial discrimination in America. Her hair was cut, and she was forced to follow alien rules. Bama was a Dalit girl from India. She faced caste discrimination and untouchability. Zitkala-Sa resisted openly but felt broken. Bama, however, used education as her silent weapon. Both showed courage but responded differently to the injustice they faced in childhood.

12. What do you know about Zitkala-Sa?
Zitkala-Sa was a Native American woman born in 1876. She belonged to the Sioux tribe. She was sent to a missionary school, where she faced racial discrimination. Her hair was cut, and she was forced to follow rules against her culture. She became a writer, teacher, and activist. Through her writings, she expressed the pain of her people. She fought for the rights and traditions of Native Americans.

13. Is Bama a rebel?
Yes, Bama is a rebel. She refused to accept untouchability quietly. When she saw caste discrimination, she felt angry and insulted. Her brother advised her to study to gain respect. She worked hard, did well in school, and decided to fight injustice through education. She resisted humiliation with courage. Bama’s determination to rise above her caste and end discrimination shows her rebellious and brave nature against unfair treatment.

14. Difference in the two childhood memories.
Zitkala-Sa’s memory is about racial discrimination. She recalls the pain of having her hair cut and being forced into strict rules. She lost her cultural freedom. Bama’s memory is about caste discrimination. She saw untouchability and felt insulted. She decided to resist it through education. Both faced different forms of injustice, but both show how childhood experiences shaped their courage to fight against unfair treatment in life.