How did Zitkala-Sa’s first day in the land of apples begin ?
It was a bitterly cold day. The snow had covered the ground. The trees were bare. A large bell rang for breakfast. There was a clatter of shoes on bare floors. A paleface woman placed Zitkala-Sa in a line of girls. All of them marched into the dining room. Thus began Zitkala-Sa’s first day in the school.
How did Zitkala-Sa feel when a large bell rang for breakfast ?
Zitkala-Sa felt the loud metallic sound crashing through her ears. There was an annoying clatter of shoes on the bare floors. There were harsh noises in an unknown tongue. Zitkala-Sa’s spirit pined for its lost freedom.
How were the Indian girls dressed ?
The Indian girls were in stiff shoes and closely clinging dresses. The small girls wore sleeved aprons and shingled hair. It was Zitkala-Sa’s first day in school. She was not yet in the school dress. She was dressed in the modest dress of her tribe.
How did Zitkala-Sa compare her own dress with that of the other girls ?
The other girls wore stiff shoes and closely clinging dresses. Zitkala-Sa thought it was immodest to dress like that. She was wearing soft flat shoes and the loose clothes of her tribe. Even without her blanket on her shoulders, she was feeling very shy.
‘‘I felt like sinking to the floor,’’ says Zitkala-Sa. When did she feel so and why ?
A native American girl traditionally wears a blanket on her shoulders. It is considered immodest if a girl is without a blanket on her shoulders. But when Zitkala-Sa was marching in a line to the dining room, her blanket was stripped from her shoulders. In her shame, Zitkala-Sa felt like sinking to the floor.
How did the girls and the boys enter the dining room ? Who did Zitkala-Sa watch for among the boys ?
All the girls were placed in a line before entering the dining room. While the girls entered from one door, the boys came in from the opposite door. Zitkala-Sa watched for the three boys of her tribe who had come in the same group. They were feeling as uncomfortable as Zitkala-Sa was.
According to Zitkala-Sa, what does ‘eating by formula’ mean ?
The students filed ino the dining room. They stood by their chairs. The tap of a small bell was heard. The pupils took their seats on the chairs. Now there was another bell. A man at one end of the hall said some words while the pupils hung their heads over their plates. When the man stopped his mutterings, there was a third bell. Now everyone picked up their knife and fork and began to eat. Zitkala-Sa calls it ‘eating by formula’.
At the dining table, why did Zitkala-Sa begin to cry when others started eating ?
At the dining table, Zitkala-Sa saw everyone pick up a knife and fork and eat with them. For Zitkala-Sa, this ‘eating by formula’ was too hard a trial. So she started crying.
Who was Judewin ? What warning did she give to Zitkala-Sa ?
Judewin was a friend of Zitkala-Sa. She knew a few words of English. She had overheard a white woman saying that they would cut her long, heavy hair. She said that Zitkala-Sa would have to submit to it.
What did Judewin tell Zitkala-Sa ? How did she react to it ?
Judewin told her that they would cut her long heavy hair, and that she would have to submit to it. At this, Zitkala-Sa said that she would not submit to it. When no one was looking, she ran up the stairs and hid herself under a bed.
Why did Zitkala-Sa resist the cutting of her hair ?
(Or)
What did the mothers of Zitkala-Sa’s tribe teach their children about their hair ?
The people of Zitkala-Sa’s tribe had a tradition of keeping long, heavy hair. Mothers taught their children that only unskilled warriors who were captured had their hair shingled by the enemy. Short hair was worn by mourners, and shingled hair by cowards. Therefore, she resisted the cutting of her hair.
What did Zitkala-Sa do when she heard that they were going to cut her hair ?
(Or)
How did Zitkala-Sa try to prevent the shingling of her hair ?
(Or)
What frantic efforts did Zitkala-Sa make to save her hair from being cut ?
Zitkala-Sa crept up the stairs when no one was noticing. She went into a room. The windows were covered with dark green curtains. It made the room very dim. She went down on her hands and knees and crawled under a bed. There she lay huddled in the dark corner. She struggled with all her might when she was tied in a chair.
How was Zitkala-Sa found from her hiding place ?
Zitkala-Sa heard voices calling her name. She knew they were searching for her. Some women and girls entered her room. Someone threw back the curtains. The room was filled with light. She was found hiding under a bed. She was dragged out.
Why was the girl tied to a chair in ‘Memories of Childhood’ ?
The girl’s name was Zitkala-Sa. She was a native American. She loved her long, heavy hair. But at school, it was ordered to cut her long hair. Zitkala-Sa tried to escape but she was caught and tied fast to a chair. She cried aloud. She kept shaking her head all the while. But she was untied only after her long hair had been shingled.
What light does Zitkala-Sa’s resistance to the shingling of her hair throw on her character ?
Zitkala-Sa belonged to a tribe of native Americans. Among her tribe, shingled hair was considered to be a sign of cowardice. Her resistance to the shingling of her hair reflected that she was not a coward. The seeds of rebellion were present in her. She was not ready to accept the injustice lying down.
How did Zitkala-Sa feel when her hair was shingled ?
Zitkala-Sa was terribly shocked. She was in tears. She moaned for her mother. But no one came to comfort her. No one came to reason with her as her mother used to do. Now she felt herself as one of many little animals driven by a herder.
Why was Zitkala-Sa terrified when Judewin told her that her hair would be cut short ?
It was a tradition with Zitkala-Sa’s tribe to keep long, heavy hair. Only unskilled warriors who were captured, had their hair shingled by the enemy. It was considered humiliating to have one’s hair shingled. Naturally, Zitkala-Sa was terrified when she heard that her hair would be cut short.
What were the indignities that Zitkala-Sa had to suffer for being from a marginalized community ?
Zitkala-Sa was a native American girl. White-skinned people looked down on the tribal people and treated them like animals. Zitkala-Sa’s hair was shingled forcibly though it would be a sign of cowardice in her tribe.
What does Bama say about untouchability when she was in the third class ?
Bama says she had not till then heard people speak openly about untouchability. But she had already experienced the humility because of her being a Dalit. She had seen it and felt it many a time.
How much time did Bama take walking home from school ?
Actually, it was possible to walk the distance in ten minutes. But usually, Bama took thirty minutes at the very least to reach home. It could even take her from half an hour to an hour because she came watching every little thing on the way.
Mention any two reasons because of which it would take thirty minutes to an hour for Bama to reach home.
It was hardly ten minutes’ walk from Bama’s school to her home. But she would come watching all the little things happening on the way. Everything would pull her to a standstill. It was for this reason that she took thirty minutes to an hour to reach home from school.
What were the articles in the stalls and shops that fascinated Bama on her way back from school ?
While coming back from school, there were many things on the way that fascinated Bama. There were a number of stalls on the way that sold dried fish, sweets, fried snacks, etc. Bama would look at the various things being sold at these shops. There she would also see the gypsy hunter with his wild lemurs in cages. He sold needles, clay beads and instruments for cleaning out the ears.
What sorts of shows or entertainment attracted Bama ?
On her way back home from school, there were different things that attracted Bama. There could be a monkey show or a magic show or a street play. There could be a snake-charmer with his snake kept in a basket and which he displayed from time to time.
Which activities of the people would Bama watch keenly in the bazaar ?
While coming back home from school, Bama would watch a juggler showing his tricks with a monkey. Sometimes, she would watch a puppet show or a magic show. She would watch a snake-charmer displaying his snake kept in a basket. In fact, she would stop at every point where she felt there was something interesting to watch.
What was going on at the opposite corner when Bama came to her street one day ?
A threshing floor had been set up there. Some people of Bama’s community were hard at work. They were driving cattle round and round in pairs. They were treading out the grain from the straw.
Why did Bama want to laugh on seeing an elder of her street ?
The elder was carrying a small packet by its string. He was holding it out so as not to touch it. There seemed to be vadais in the packet because it was stained with oil. Bama wanted to laugh because that way the packet could get undone and the vadais could fall out.
When did Bama first come to know of the social discrimination faced by the people of her community ?
Bama saw an elder of her community carrying a packet of vadais by its string. The packet was for the landlord. For Bama, it was a funny sight. But her brother told her that they were not supposed to touch the upper caste people. Their touch could pollute them. It was only then that Bama knew of the social discrimination faced by their community.
How did the elder hand over the packet to the landlord ?
The elder went straight to the landlord. He bowed low and extended the packet towards him. He cupped the hand that held the string with his other hand. The landlord opened the packet and began to eat the vadais.
What did Bama tell Annan about the elder she had seen carrying a packet ?
The elder was a big man. He was carrying a packet of vadais by its string. That way, the packet could get undone and the vadais could fall out. Bama thought the elder looked funny carrying the packet that way. She told her brother the story in all its comic detail.
How did Annan explain to Bama that there was nothing funny about the elder carrying the packet by its string ?
Annan told Bama that the landlord and his people were believed to be of upper caste. The Dalits were not supposed to touch them. By their touch, the upper caste people thought they were polluted. That was why the elder had to carry the packet by its string.
How did Bama feel when Annan told her why the elder had to carry the packet by its string ?
Bama felt very angry. She saw no reason why an important elder of theirs had to act in such a slavish manner before the landlord. She said, “We too are human beings. We should never bow low before these fellows. We should work in their fields, take home our wages, and leave it at that.”
What advice did Annan offer Bama ?
Annan advised Bama to study hard with care and learn all she could. He said that only by studying and by making progress, could they throw away their indignities.
Why did the landlord’s man ask Bama’s brother on which street he lived ? What was its significance ?
The landlord’s man wanted to ascertain if Bama’s brother was an untouchable or not. Untouchables were segregated to live in a particular street only. Thus by knowing the name of the street, the landlord’s man could know about the boy’s caste also. That was why he asked Bama’s brother on which street he lived.
Describe the scene at the threshing floor observed by Bama on her way back from school.
One day Bama saw a threshing floor set up at the opposite corner of her street. The landlord was watching the proceedings. Some Dalits from that street were driving cattle in pairs, round and round, to tread out the grain from the straw. The animals were muzzled so that they wouldn’t help themselves to the straw.
Reproduce briefly in your own words Zitkala-Sa’s experience in the dining room.
(Or)
Describe Zitkala-Sa’s experience of ‘eating by formula’ on the first day of her school.
There were tables and chairs arranged in the dining room. Boys and girls entered the hall from opposite doors. A small bell was tapped. Each of the pupils drew a chair from under the table. Zitkala-Sa, too, pulled her chair and slipped into it. But when she turned her head, all others were still standing. She shyly began to rise but then there was a second bell and all were seated. A man’s voice was heard at one end of the hall. Zitkala-Sa looked around to see him. But all others hung their heads over their plates. When the man stopped his mutterings, a third bell was tapped. Everyone picked up their knife and fork and began eating. Zitkala-Sa began crying instead. This ‘eating by formula’ was too hard a trial for her.
How did Zitkala-Sa fight against oppression ?
Zitkala-sa belonged to a tribe of native Americans. The white-skinned settlers from Europe looked down upon the local tribes. They dealt with them like animals. Zitkala-sa was a victim of social discrimination and oppression. She came to know that the school authorities would shingle her hair. She did not want her hair to be shingled. Among her tribe, the shingled hair was considered to be a sign of cowardice. Her brother, Judewin said, ‘‘We have to submit, because they are strong.’’ Zitkala Sa rebelled saying, ‘‘No, I will not submit ! I will struggle first !’’ She was not ready to give in so easily. She struggled with all her might when she was tied in a chair. She cried aloud. She kept shaking her head all the while. She heard them cut off one of her thick braids. Then she lost her spirit and ceased struggling. At last she had to give herself up. Thus Zitkala-sa protested and fought in her own way against oppression.
How long did Bama take to reach home from school and why ? Write briefly what she did on her way.
(Or)
Why did Bama stroll in the market place instead of hurrying back home ? Describe the sights she enjoyed seeing there.
From Bama’s school to home, it was actually possible to walk the distance in ten minutes. But usually, it took her thirty minutes at the very least to reach home. It could even take her from half an hour to an hour. She came watching all the little things happening on the way. There could be a performing monkey. There could be a snake-charmer with his snake kept in a basket and which he displayed from time to time. There could be a cyclist who had not got off his bike for three days. She would watch the huge bell hanging at the temple. She would watch the Pongal offerings being cooked in front of the temple. She would look at the various things being sold at the shops. Each thing would pull her to a standstill and not allow her to go any further. Then there could be some entertainments going on the way — a street play, a puppet show or a magic show. All these sights would tether her legs and stop her from going home.
What was the scene that first amused Bama but then filled her with anger and revolt ?
(Or)
Untouchability is not only a crime, it is inhuman too. Why and how did Bama decide to fight against it ?
(Or)
In India, the so-called lower castes have been treated cruelly for a long time. Who advised Bama to fight against the prejudice, when and how ?
A threshing floor had been set up at a corner of the street. It was a street where the Dalits lived. Some men of the street were working hard to separate the grain from the straw. The landlord was sitting on a piece of sacking spread over a stone ledge. Bama saw an elder man of the street coming from the side of the bazaar. He was holding out a packet by its string. The packet was stained with oil. It had probably vadais in it. Bama thought it was funny to carry the packet in that manner, because the packet could get undone and the vadais could fall out. But Bama’s elder brother explained to her that there was nothing comic about it. The landlord and his people were believed to be of upper caste. The Dalits were not supposed to touch them. It could pollute the upper caste people. On hearing this, Bama was filled with anger and revolt. She said, “We too are human beings. Our people should never do these humiliating things for them. We should work in their fields, take home our wages, and leave it at that.”
How do Bama and her brother, Annan, differ in their approach to fight discrimination against the untouchables ?
Bama and her brother, Annan, hold different approaches to fight discrimination against the untouchables. On seeing an elder of their street being humiliated by the so-called upper caste people, Bama is filled with rage. She is not ready to accept this discrimination. She says that if some people have some money, it doesn’t mean they should start looking down upon the poor dalits. They too are human beings. On the other hand, her brother, Annan thinks that if they want this discrimination to be ended, they will have to study and throw away the indignities. He advises her sister to study with care all she can learn. If she is ahead in her lessons, people will come to her of their own accord and attach themselves to her. She should work hard and learn. Thus we see that Bama wants to end the discrimination against untouchables by standing against discrimination while Annan is in favour of eliminating the discrimination by means of education.
What kind of discrimination did Bama and Zitkala experience ? How did they respond to their respective situations ?
(Or)
What are the similarities in the lives of Bama and Zitkala, though they belong to different cultures ?
Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa were the victims of social discrimination. Both of them protest in their own way. Bama belonged to an oppressed community. One day, she saw an elder of her community holding a packet of vadais by its string. This packet was for the landlord. Bama thought it was a funny sight. But Bama’s brother explained to her that the landlord and his people belonged to the upper caste. The touch of one from an oppressed class could pollute them. It filled Bama with anger and revolt. The experience of Zitkala-Sa was also of a similar one. She belonged to a tribe of native Americans. The white-skinned settlers from Europe looked down upon the local tribes. They treated them like animals. Zitkala-Sa did not want her hair to be shingled. Among her tribe, shingled hair was considered to be a sign of cowardice. She struggled with all her might when she was tied in a chair. But at last, the little one had to give herself up. Thus both Bama and Zitkala-Sa protested in their own way.
Describe how Zitkala-Sa tried in vain to save her hair from being cut. Why did she want to save her hair ?
Zitkala-Sa came to know that the school authorities would shingle her hair. In order to save her hair, she crept up the stairs when no one was noticing. She went into a room and hid herself under a bed. There she lay huddled in a dark corner. She heard voices calling her name. Some women and girls entered her room. She was found and dragged out from under the bed. She was tied fast in a chair so that her hair could be shingled. Zitkala cried aloud. She kept shaking her head all the while. She felt the blades of the scissors against her neck. She heard them cut off one of her thick braids. Now she stopped struggling. Thus her long hair was shingled. In Zitkala’s tribe, there was a tradition of keeping long, heavy hair. Only unskilled warriors who were captured, had their hair shingled by the enemy. Short hair was worn by mourners and shingled hair by cowards. That was why Zitkala-Sa didn’t want to lose her hair.
It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted, but the seeds of rebellion are sown early in life. Do you agree that injustice in any form cannot escape being noticed even by children ?
(Or)
It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted, but the seeds of rebellion are sown early in life. How did Zitkala-Sa face oppression as a child and how did she overcome it ?
Elders become used to the kind of life they have been living. They stop grumbling or protesting because they take it as their destiny. But children are far more sensitive than elders. They acutely feel whatever they think is wrong or unjust. They may be physically weak, but are emotionally quite awake. They feel quite disturbed when they see injustice being done to someone. Thus the seeds of rebellion are sown early in life. And when they grow up, they stand in open rebellion against the oppressor.
Zitkala-Sa belonged to a tribe of native Americans. The white-skinned settlers from Europe looked down upon the local tribes. They treated them like animals. Zitkala-Sa did not want her hair to be shingled. Among her tribe, shingled hair was considered to be a sign of cowardice. She struggled with all her might when she was tied in a chair. But at last, the little one had to give herself up.
