Bernice Bobs Her Hair!

"Bernice Bobs Her Hair" by F. Scott Fitzgerald teaches a very important lesson about superficial popularity, and the cruel pressures which demand that individuals conform to the standards of a social set. It was interesting to watch the development of the main character, a quiet, passive person who longed for popularity, then found it, then lost it, and finally became strong and independent. The story is about an eighteen-year old girl named Bernice who is visiting her snobbish cousin, Marjorie. At first, Bernice is considered boring and dull by Marjorie and her friends, because she can't make witty conversation and doesn't dress fashionably. Bernice finally agrees to let Marjorie teach her how to be popular. According to Marjorie's superficial formula for popularity, conversation must be carefully planned and rehearsed in order to shock and amuse the audience. For conversational purposes, Marjorie suggests that Bernice use the topic of bobbing her hair.

When I read this story, I can see how it can appeal to the audiences’ pathos. Many people have had problems with trying to be something they’re not, and would do almost anything to be popular even if that means losing themselves in the process. In this story, you can see that happening pretty quickly with Bernice. However, you can see why Bernice would want to change because of how her cousins treat her. Nobody wants to be the oddball in the crowd, and usually just wants to fit in and be like everyone else. From this story you can tell that F. Scott Fitzgerald knows what he is talking about with peer pressure and the urge to fit in, therefore establishing the credibility that he is trustworthy in the message he is trying to get across to the audience.

'Bernice Bobs Her Hair' is a story that incorporates sexuality and innocence at the same time. Indeed, the fundamental basis of this story is the concept of social acceptance, an idea that appears to escape the young woman's self-perception; as a means by which to draw attention to herself, she decides to do one of the most shocking things imaginable which is to cut her long tresses. This can show how this drastic cry for acceptance is one that Fitzgerald utilizes in order to demonstrate the lengths to which people will go to become one of the crowd, clearly illustrating the ethos and pathos of society.