The Cutting of My Long Hair Theme | Class 12 | Vistas | Point wise | Deep Analysis

Take a closer look at “The Cutting of My Long Hair,” based on the themes of losing freedom and cultural identity forcefully from your Class 12 English book, Vistas. We’re going to talk about the main idea this story in a simple way, breaking it down point wise.  This post is for students who want to understand the story better and for teachers who are looking for ways to make this story clearer to their students. Let’s dive into what The Cutting of My Long Hair theme is-

The Cutting of My Long Hair Theme – in Short

The theme is about losing freedom and cultural identity forcefully.

Theme of the Chapter the Cutting of My Long Hair – Justification

The theme is reflected through Zitkala-Sa’s painful experiences. She is forced to follow unfamiliar rules, give up her traditional clothing, and lose her long hair. These actions denote the loss of her culture and freedom, showing how her identity is taken away by the superior society.

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List of Theme of the Chapter the Cutting of My Long Hair

Here is a list of themes from this chapter:

1.Loss of Cultural Identity – Forced to leave traditional practices.

2.Oppression and Control – superior society imposes rules on the weaker group.

3.Resistance and Rebellion – Zitkala-Sa’s attempt to oppose forced changes.

4.Childhood Trauma – Emotional pain caused by harsh treatment.

5.Injustice and Discrimination – Treating initial people unfairly and disrespecting their culture.

6.Loss of Freedom – Being controlled and denied personal choices.

7.Cultural Clash – Struggle between native traditions and foreign rules.

Point Wise Theme Justification of the Chapter the Cutting of My Long Hair

1.Loss of Cultural Identity
Zitkala-Sa is forced to cut her long hair, which is a deep cultural symbol for her people. Losing it makes her feel like a coward and takes away a part of her identity.

2.Oppression and Control
The white authorities impose strict rules on Zitkala-Sa, making her follow their ways of eating, dressing, and behaving. This shows how they controlled native people and ignored their traditions.

3.Resistance and Rebellion
Zitkala-Sa hides under a bed to protect her hair and tries to oppose the unfair changes. This shows her courage and the inner fight to hold onto her culture.

4.Childhood Trauma
Zitkala-Sa faces emotional pain as she is separated from her family and forced to live in a foreign environment. The harsh treatment leaves her feeling helpless and lonely.

5.Injustice and Discrimination
Zitkala-Sa experiences discrimination as her traditions are seen as inferior. The white people treat her culture with disrespect, showing how unfairly native people were treated.

6.Loss of Freedom
Zitkala-Sa is not allowed to make her own choices, even about her appearance. She feels like she is controlled, much like a puppet with no freedom.

7.Cultural Clash
Zitkala-Sa’s native traditions conflict with the white society’s strict rules. She struggles to change while wanting to keep her cultural roots alive.

Long Question Answer – 

 Question – What are the major themes explored in The Cutting of My Long Hair by Zitkala-Sa? Answer based on the events in the chapter (120-150 words)?

Answer – The chapter shows many important themes. The first theme is the loss of cultural identity, where Zitkala-Sa is forced to cut her long hair, a symbol of her tradition.

This cuts away her connection to her culture. Another theme is oppression and control. The white authorities impose strict rules, ignoring her feelings and traditions.

The theme of resistance and rebellion is shown when Zitkala-Sa hides under a bed to protect her hair. This shows her courage. The theme of childhood trauma is reflected in her pain and loneliness. Injustice and discrimination are also clear as her culture is disrespected.

Lastly, the chapter highlights loss of freedom and a cultural clash, where her choices are taken away to fit a new culture.