Question

"And, of course, we went to the beauty parlor and got our hair straightened. I couldn't wait to go to the beauty parlor and get my hair all fried up. I wanted Shirley Temple curls just like Shirley Temple. I hated the smell of fried hair and having my ears burned, but we were taught that women had to make great sacrifices to be beautiful. And everybody knew you had to be crazy to walk the streets with nappy hair sticking out. And of course long hair was better than short hair. We all knew that. We had been completely brainwashed..."

Answer 1

The excerpts discuss the impact of beauty standards and social expectations on individuals, highlighting the challenges faced by characters like Bernice, who breaks norms with a haircut but faces backlash,

and the broader societal changes during the Jazz Age.

Step-by-step explanation:

The provided text passages describe various attitudes towards physical appearance, self-confidence, and social expectations in different historical contexts.

From the societal pressures to conform to certain beauty standards, exemplified by Bernice's dramatic haircut, to the transformative flapper culture of the Jazz Age, these excerpts reflect the evolution of social norms and the influence of expectations on individual identity and behavior.

Each passage illustrates the characters' struggles or experiences with their physical appearance. The theme of personal beauty and societal expectations is a common thread throughout the text, showing the impact these standards have on the characters' self-esteem and social interactions.

Bernice's decision to cut her hair is particularly telling, as it signifies a bold move against traditional norms but ultimately leads to feelings of regret and social rejection.

From the historical context of beauty in the Bamboo River society to the modern flapper movement, the text explores the extent to which personal appearance can shape one's social interactions and self-perception.