Chapter 8 - Memories of Childhood

The chapter, Memories of Childhood is a set of two autobiographical tales written by Zitkala-Sa and Bama. The two accounts are based on two different cultures. It’s about both of them becoming celebrated writers, whose origin was from the marginalised community of the society. It narrates their reflection on their relationship with mainstream life. For chapter summary and NCERT Solutions for Class 12, English, Memories of Childhood, read on.

Summary 

Part 1- The Cutting of My Long Hair

This extract is taken from a painful experience which Zitkala-Sa felt at a particular time of her life. It narrates the difficulty which she suffered during her days in the hostel. The story begins with her first day in a boarding school named Carlisle Indian School. It was a school meant for native Indians where they were trained to learn the American culture and leave behind their own. She was a victim of cultural and social oppression. She described how bad she felt when a shawl was taken away from her by the school authorities.

On the first day of her school, the children were given the task to pick apples in the cold. Zitkala-Sa felt and noticed that she was being watched by a strange lady whose face was pale. She felt scared and humiliated. Later, she made a friend in school who could understand English. She told her that the lady wanted to cut her hair.

Growing up, she learned from her mother that her hair could only be cut for the cowards, mourners, and unskilled warriors. Zitkala-Sa made up her mind to fight for herself and hid in a dim-lit room under a bed. Everyone was looking for her, and she eventually got caught, and her long hair was cut even though she resisted. She felt humiliated and discouraged, and she was reminded of the time when her mother comforted her during such tough times. However, in the end, she gave herself up to her herder, just like a tamed animal.

Part 2 – We too are Human Beings 

“We Too Are Human Beings”, is an autobiography of the writer Bama. The author was a cheerful little girl who loved to observe her surroundings and the events that occurred in them. According to Bama, it should take her approximately ten minutes to reach her home from school, but it takes thirty minutes. The reason behind this was that on her way home, she visits a performing monkey and a snake charmer who acts along with his snake, which she finds fascinating. She also saw a cyclist who was performing at the same location three days in a row. On her way, she also came across a famous temple and a tribal man who sold needles, beads, clay and other things. She spends her time looking around for things that catch her attention.

Later, she goes on to explain the political parties who had come to her area to give a speech. Bama goes on describing how one time she saw a landlord sitting and watching his workers as they worked in the field. She then notices an old man from her community, giving out a packet of snack in a strange manner, which he then offered to the landlord. She found this humorous and starts laughing out loud. Upon reaching home, she narrates this incident to her brother, and her brother reveals to her the truth. The truth was that she belonged to the lower caste and that the people from the upper caste do not like to be touched or be in the same room as them. The upper caste people consider the people from the lower caste to be impure and untouchable. Bama found this sickening, and she became enraged at the upper caste people. She wanted her people to stop giving so much respect to these upper-classmen.

Her brother then told her that to get out of this cycle, she had to study hard, and only this would help her to earn the respect she deserves. This could also help her get rid of the humiliation they are facing. The words of her brother left a great impact on her mind, and she worked hard. She became the topper of her class and was able to change her future.

For a better understanding of this chapter, refer to Memories of Childhood Class 12 Questions and Answers. You can also download Memories of Childhood NCERT Solutions PDF.