English-12th JAYSHREE PERIWAL HIGH SCHOOL

The Memories of Childhood (2024-25)

SAQs
Q1. When did Bama first come to know of the social discrimination faced by the people of her
community?
One day, while coming from school, she saw an elderly man of her community carrying Vadai
packet by a string The man took care not to touch the packet
Bama narrated the amusing incident to her brotherThe brother told her about the plight of
the people in their community and attitude of the upper caste people towards people of
lower caste.
Q2. What are the similarities in the lives of Bama and Zitkala though they belong to different
cultures?
Both Zitkala Sa and Bama, were victims of discrimination Zitkala-Sa faced racial discrimination
(cutting of hair, destroying her cultural identity/the strange rules at the boarding school
with regard to dress, food etc.)Bama faced caste discrimination Though both belonged to
different cultures, different times, but both suffered similar humiliation Both rebelled
against the injustice meted out to them.
Q3. Why was Zitkala - Sa terrified when Judewin told her that her hair would be cut short?
Cutting hair short was an indignity It was against her custom In her country, it was a sign
of mourning, cowardice and defeat. Short hair was worn by mourners and shingled hair by
cowards. Long hair was a symbol of bravery
Q4. What did Zitkala - Sa feel when her long hair was cut?
She experienced a tumultuous mix of emotions—indignation, anguish, and a loss of spirit.
Seeking solace, she searched for comfort amidst her turmoil, feeling akin to a bewildered
animal guided by a herder. Overwhelmed, she felt like a helpless puppet, controlled by
forces beyond her grasp, yearning for liberation.
Q5. What advice did Annan offer Bama?
Ans. Annan counselled her to diligently study and progress, shedding indignities along the way.
Being ahead in her studies would attract people to her. Through hard work and careful
study, she could overcome obstacles and elevate herself beyond the challenges she faced.
Q6. Why was Zitkala - Sa in tears on the first day in the land of apples?
Ans. Zitkala-Sa wept on her first day, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and cultural
shock. The unknown language, strict regimen including regimented meals and squeaking
shoes, and the distressing news of impending hair cutting compounded her sense of
disorientation and anxiety.
Q7. How did Zitkala - Sa's first day in the land of apples begin?
 On a bitterly cold day with snow-covered ground, a large bell rang for breakfast. Annoying
clatters of shoes disrupted the peaceful atmosphere, amidst constant clashes of harsh noises
and murmurs in an unknown tongue. They all proceeded into the dining room.
Q8. According to Zitkal-Sa what does eating by formula mean?
Breakfast followed a fixed procedure: first bell for pulling chairs, second for sitting, and
third for eating with forks and knives. Feeling out of place, she began to cry amidst the
structured routine, overwhelmed by the unfamiliarity of the setting.

LAQs
Q1. What prompted Bama to come up in life and rebel against caste inequalities?
Bama's habitual tardiness from school afforded her the opportunity to savor the sights on
her journey home. One day, amidst the bustling activity of harvest being threshed, she
noticed the landlord overseeing the work. A Dalit elder from her community approached,
bearing a packet of Vadais for the landlord. Initially finding the situation amusing, Bama's
amusement turned to indignation when her brother revealed the harsh truth: the Dalit elder
was forbidden from touching the food meant for the landlord due to caste-based
discrimination.
This revelation ignited a fire within Bama. Determined to challenge the entrenched caste
inequalities, she vowed to pursue education rigorously and rise above societal expectations.
Fuelled by her anger and sense of injustice, Bama embarked on a journey of academic
excellence and rebellion against caste-based restrictions. She saw education as a tool to
empower herself and her community, aiming not only to uplift her own circumstances but
also to dismantle the systemic discrimination that oppressed Dalits and other marginalized
groups. Bama's resolve to fight for equality became the driving force behind her quest to
create a more just and equitable society for all.
Q2. In India the so-called lower castes have been treated cruelly for a long time. Who advised
Bama to fight against this prejudice, when and how?
Bama was a victim of social discrimination and the realization came later.
Who advised Bama? Annan, Bama's elder brother.
When? She narrated in all comic detail, the manner in which the elderly man frotheir street
carried the food packet.Annan revealed the reason/ He told her about the behaviour of the
higher caste people towards the untouchables.
- Bama was very agitated, felt sorry, hurt, pained miserable and enraged.
 How Aman advised her to study hard and work hard to top in the class to win friends.
Education he said was a key to community honour / dignity / and to overcome the caste
bias.

Q3. It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted, but the seeds of rebellion are sowed

early in life. How did Zitkala - Sa face oppression as a child and how did she overcome

it?

Every childhood experience makes a mark It could be sweet / bitter

Zitkala -sa faced oppression/suppression/exploitation Her childhood courage to face

atrocities/bullying is commendable. In her new school when the heard about the cutting of

her hair, her resistance to the same is remarkable. She became a universal name although

she belonged to a marginalized community She faced it in a spirited manner She resisted by

hiding under the bed She kicked / scratched widely / cried about / shook her head She lost

her spirit after one of her braids was cut The Seed of rebellion was sown by her.She

Struggled, triumphed, criticised the system/the dogma/and the life of a Native American.

Q4. Both Bama and Zitkala Sa experienced the harsh reality of discrimination in their
childhood. Instead of letting it pull them down, they both found a way to overcome it.
You wish to include a cameo* of both in your upcoming blog post. As a part of the
research, compare and contrast the experiences faced by the two and their response/s to
these experiences, in 120-150 words. [Clue: Include the similarities and differences in the
discrimination they faced - their feelings - determination to overcome – success]
Both of them faced discrimination; Zitkala Sa was discriminated against because of cultural

differences while Bama faced discrimination due to her caste. ∙ Zitkala sa rebelled and

refused to get her hair cut. She put up a strong fight, though had to give in finally. Bama

was enraged and wanted to go and touch the packet of vadai to teach a lesson to the

landlord. But was guided by her elder brother to calm down. He showed her the path

overcome discrimination. ∙ Both of them worked hard to excel in education. ∙ Both

succeeded as writers among other things; They have written much against discrimination

and evils of oppression, thus continuing the fight for justice for their communities.
 Q5 How can we say that the vadai packet incident reveals that the writer lacked the

cognitive and emotional maturity required to understand the implications of

untouchability?

At the time of the incident, the writer was only in the third grade, which means that she was likely

around eight years old - children at that age are still developing their cognitive and

emotional abilities - it is not uncommon for them to lack a full understanding of complex

social issues like untouchability ▪ The writer's shared that she had not, till then, heard

people speak openly of untouchability - suggests that she may not have had a complete

grasp of the issue's societal implications. ▪ It is possible that she understood that certain

individuals were treated differently from others, but she may not have fully comprehended

the scope of the problem.

Q6 A grown up Zitkala-Sa, reflects on the incident about cutting of her long hair and is

conflicted that she did not do enough to resist and surrendered easily. She also wonders

if she could have tried something else to prevent the incident. As the grown-up

Zitkala-Sa, create a diary entry , expressing these thoughts and conclude by absolving

yourself of any blame. You may begin like this: I find myself reflecting on an event that

happened many years ago…

I find myself reflecting on an event that happened many years ago, one that has continued

to haunt me ever since. It is the incident where my long hair was forcefully cut off at the

Carlisle Indian School. As I sit here today, I cannot help but feel conflicted about my actions

that day. On one hand, I am proud that I stood up for myself and refused to submit to their

demands at first. I remember the fire in my belly as I declared that I would struggle before

giving in. However, as time passed, my spirit wavered, and eventually, I allowed them to

cut my hair. Looking back now, I cannot help but feel that I gave in too easily, that I did not

do enough to resist. As I ponder over what I could have done differently, I realize that there

might have been other options. Perhaps I could have sought help from my fellow students.

Maybe I could have tried to escape or find another way out of the situation. But in that

moment, I was so overwhelmed and confused that I could not think straight. I know that I

have blamed myself for this incident for far too long. But today, I choose to absolve myself
 of any blame. As a young girl, I forced into a strange place. I was not given the chance to

make my own choices, to decide what was best for me. I was a victim of a system that

sought to strip away my identity and forced me to assimilate. Today, I choose to forgive

myself and honour the brave little girl who stood up for herself that day. I am grateful for

her courage and strength, and I will continue to honour her memory by fighting for justice

and equality for all.

Q7. Recall the story 'We too are Human Beings' from the text 'Memories of Childhood'.

Imagine that Bama stops the elderly man who was carrying the packet of vadais, and

strikes up a conversation with him. She asks him a couple of questions. As the man,

respond to Bama's questions. You may follow the given format and include the two

questions in your conversation. Bama: Hi sir, I noticed that you were carrying that packet

in a funny manner. Why were you doing so? Elderly man: ... Bama: But that's terrible.

How does that make you feel?

Bama: Hi sir, I noticed that you were carrying that packet in a funny manner. Why were

you doing so?

Elderly man: That may have looked funny to you, but I didn't really have a choice. People in our

community often don't have choices. We belong to a caste whose people are considered

'untouchable'. The people of higher castes look at us as dirty, polluted people. So, anything

we touch also becomes 'polluted'. I was carrying the vadai packet by the string so that I

don't pollute it with my touch.

Bama: But that's terrible. How does that make you feel?

Elderly man: Well, this has been my life since I was born. I do not know anything else. Yet, every

time this happens, I feel deeply humiliated. I am made to feel small and I am rejected for

something I cannot change. I hope things will be different when you are my age.

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