Page 1 :
8, , Zitkala-Sa and Bama, Before you read, , This unit presents autobiographical episodes from the lives of two, women from marginalised communities who look back on their, childhood, and reflect on their relationship with the mainstream, culture. The first account is by an American Indian woman born in, the late nineteenth century; the second is by a contemporary Tamil, Dalit writer., Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, born in 1876, was an extraordinarily, talented and educated Native American w oman who struggled, and triumphed in a time when severe prejudice prevailed towards, Native American culture and women. As a writer, she adopted the, pen name ‘Z i t kala-Sa’ and in 1900 began publishing articles, criticising the Carlisle Indian school. Her works criticised dogma,, and her life as a Native American woman was dedicated against, the evils of oppression., Bama is the pen-name of a Tamil Dalit woman from a Roman Catholic, family. She has published three main works: an autobiography,, ‘Karukku’, 1992; a novel, ‘Sangati’, 1994; and a collection of short, stories, ‘Kisumbukkaaran’ , 1996. The following excerpt has been, taken from ‘Karukku’. ‘Karukku’ means ‘Palmyra’ leaves, which, with their serrated edges on both sides, are like double-edged swords., By a felicitous pun, the Tamil word ‘Karukku’, containing the, word ‘karu’, embryo or seed, also means freshness, newness., , 2018-19

Page 2 :
..........ZITKALA -SA, The first day in the land of apples was a bitter-cold, one; for the snow still covered the ground, and the trees, were bare. A large bell rang for breakfast, its loud metallic, voice crashing through the belfry overhead and into our, sensitive ears. The annoying clatter of shoes on bare floors, gave us no peace. The constant clash of harsh noises, with, an undercurrent of many voices murmuring an unknown, tongue, made a bedlam within which I was securely tied., And though my spirit tore itself in struggling for its lost, freedom, all was useless., A paleface woman, with white hair, came up after us., We were placed in a line of girls who were marching into, the dining room. These were Indian girls, in stiff shoes and, closely clinging dresses. The small girls wore sleeved aprons, and shingled hair. As I walked noiselessly in my soft, moccasins, I felt like sinking to the floor, for my blanket, had been stripped from my shoulders. I looked hard at the, Indian girls, who seemed not to care that they were even, more immodestly dressed than I, in their tightly fitting, clothes. While we marched in, the boys entered at an, opposite door. I watched for the three young braves who, came in our party. I spied them in the rear ranks, looking, as uncomfortable as I felt. A small bell was tapped, and, each of the pupils drew a chair from under the table., Supposing this act meant they were to be seated, I pulled, out mine and at once slipped into it from one side. But, when I turned my head, I saw that I was the only one, seated, and all the rest at our table remained standing., Just as I began to rise, looking shyly around to see how, chairs were to be used, a second bell was sounded. All, were seated at last, and I had to crawl back into my chair, again. I heard a man’s voice at one end of the hall, and I, looked around to see him. But all the others hung their, heads over their plates. As I glanced at the long chain of, tables, I caught the eyes of a paleface woman upon me., Immediately I dropped my eyes, wondering why I was so, keenly watched by the strange woman. The man ceased, his mutterings, and then a third bell was tapped. Every, 94, , Vistas, , 2018-19

Page 3 :
one picked up his knife and fork and began eating. I began, crying instead, for by this time I was afraid to venture, anything more., But this eating by formula was not the hardest trial in, that first day. Late in the morning, my friend Judewin, gave me a terrible warning. Judewin knew a few words of, English; and she had overheard the paleface woman talk, about cutting our long, heavy hair. Our mothers had taught, us that only unskilled warriors who were captured had, their hair shingled by the enemy. Among our people, short, hair was worn by mourners, and shingled hair by cowards!, We discussed our fate some moments, and when, Judewin said, “We have to submit, because they are strong,”, I rebelled., “No, I will not submit! I will struggle first!” I answered., I watched my chance, and when no one noticed, I, disappeared. I crept up the stairs as quietly as I could in, my squeaking shoes, — my moccasins had been exchanged, for shoes. Along the hall I passed, without knowing whither, I was going. Turning aside to an open door, I found a large, room with three white beds in it. The, windows were covered with dark green, curtains, which made the room very, dim. Thankful that no one was there, I, directed my steps toward the corner, farthest from the door. On my hands and, knees I crawled under the bed, and, huddled myself in the dark corner., From my hiding place I peered, out, shuddering with, fear whenever I, heard footsteps, near by. Though, in the hall loud, voices were, calling my, name, and I, knew that, even Judewin, Memories of Childhood, , 2018-19, , 95

Page 4 :
was searching for me, I did not open my mouth to answer., Then the steps were quickened and the voices became, excited. The sounds came nearer and nearer. Women and, girls entered the room. I held my breath and watched them, open closet doors and peep behind large trunks. Some one, threw up the curtains, and the room was filled with sudden, light. What caused them to stoop and look under the bed I, do not know. I remember being dragged out, though I, resisted by kicking and scratching wildly. Inspite of myself,, I was carried downstairs and tied fast in a chair., I cried aloud, shaking my head all the while until I felt, the cold blades of the scissors against my neck, and heard, them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit., Since the day I was taken from my mother I had suffered, extreme indignities. People had stared at me. I had been, tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet. And now my, long hair was shingled like a coward’s! In my anguish I, moaned for my mother, but no one came to comfort me., Not a soul reasoned quietly with me, as my own mother, used to do; for now I was only one of many little animals, driven by a herder., , ..........B AMA, When I was studying in the third class, I hadn’t yet, heard people speak openly of untouchability. But I had, already seen, felt, experienced and been humiliated by what, it is., I was walking home from school one day, an old bag, hanging from my shoulder. It was actually possible to walk, the distance in ten minutes. But usually it would take me, thirty minutes at the very least to reach home. It would, take me from half an hour to an hour to dawdle along,, watching all the fun and games that were going on, all the, entertaining novelties and oddities is the streets, the shops, and the bazaar., The performing monkey; the snake which the, snakecharmer kept in its box and displayed from time to, time; the cyclist who had not got off his bike for three days,, and who kept pedalling as hard as he could from break of, 96, , Vistas, , 2018-19

Page 5 :
day; the rupee notes that were pinned on to his shirt to, spur him on; the spinning wheels; the Maariyaata temple,, the huge bell hanging there; the pongal offerings being, cooked in front of the temple; the dried fish stall by the, statue of Gandhi; the sweet stall, the stall selling fried, snacks, and all the other shops next to each other; the, street light always demonstrating how it could change from, blue to violet; the narikkuravan huntergypsy with his wild, lemur in cages, selling needles, clay beads and instruments, for cleaning out the ears — Oh, I could go on and on. Each, thing would pull me to a stand-still and not allow me to go, any further., At times, people from various political parties would, arrive, put up a stage and harangue us through their mikes., Then there might be a street play, or a puppet show, or a, “no magic, no miracle” stunt performance. All these would, happen from time to time. But almost certainly there would, be some entertainment or other going on., Even otherwise, there were the coffee clubs in the, bazaar: the way each waiter cooled the coffee, lifting a, tumbler high up and pouring its contents into a tumbler, held in his other hand. Or the way some people sat in front, of the shops chopping up onion, their eyes turned elsewhere, so that they would not smart. Or the almond tree growing, there and its fruit which was occasionally blown down by, the wind. All these sights taken together would tether my, legs and stop me from going home., And then, according to the season, there would be, mango, cucumber, sugar-cane, sweet-potato, palm-shoots,, gram, palm-syrup and palm-fruit, guavas and jack-fruit., Every day I would see people selling sweet and savoury, fried snacks, payasam, halva, boiled tamarind seeds and, iced lollies., Gazing at all this, one day, I came to my street, my, bag slung over my shoulder. At the opposite corner, though,, a threshing floor had been set up, and the landlord watched, the proceedings, seated on a piece of sacking spread over, a stone ledge. Our people were hard at work, driving cattle, in pairs, round and round, to tread out the grain from the, Memories of Childhood, , 2018-19, , 97

Page 6 :
straw. The animals were muzzled, so that they wouldn’t help, themselves to the straw. I, stood for a while there,, watching the fun., Just then, an, elder of our street, came along from the, direction of the, bazaar. The manner in, which he was walking, along made me want to, double up. I wanted to, shriek with laughter at, the sight of such a big, man carrying a small, packet in that fashion., I guessed there was, something like vadai, or green banana bhajji, in the packet, because the wrapping paper was stained, with oil. He came along, holding out the packet by its string,, without touching it. I stood there thinking to myself, if he, holds it like that, won’t the package come undone, and the, vadais fall out?, The elder went straight up to the landlord, bowed low, and extended the packet towards him, cupping the hand, that held the string with his other hand. The landlord, opened the parcel and began to eat the vadais., After I had watched all this, at last I went home. My, elder brother was there. I told him the story in all its comic, detail. I fell about with laughter at the memory of a big, man, and an elder at that, making such a game out of, carrying the parcel. But Annan was not amused. Annan, told me the man wasn’t being funny when he carried the, package like that. He said everybody believed that they, were upper caste and therefore must not touch us. If they, did, they would be polluted. That’s why he had to carry the, package by its string., 98, , Vistas, , 2018-19

Page 7 :
When I heard this, I didn’t want to laugh any more,, and I felt terribly sad. How could they believe that it was, disgusting if one of us held that package in his hands,, even though the vadai had been wrapped first in a banana, leaf, and then parcelled in paper? I felt so provoked and, angry that I wanted to touch those wretched vadais myself, straightaway. Why should we have to fetch and carry for, these people, I wondered. Such an important elder of ours, goes meekly to the shops to fetch snacks and hands them, over reverently, bowing and shrinking, to this fellow who, just sits there and stuffs them into his mouth. The thought, of it infuriated me., How was it that these fellows thought so much of, themselves? Because they had scraped four coins together,, did that mean they must lose all human feelings? But we, too are human beings. Our people should never run these, petty errands for these fellows. We should work in their, fields, take home our wages, and leave it at that., My elder brother, who was studying at a university,, had come home for the holidays. He would often go to the, library in our neighbouring village in order to borrow books., He was on his way home one day, walking along the banks, of the irrigation tank. One of the landlord’s men came up, behind him. He thought my Annan looked unfamiliar, and, so he asked, “Who are you, appa, what’s your name?” Annan, told him his name. Immediately the other man asked,, “Thambi, on which street do you live?” The point of this, was that if he knew on which street we lived, he would, know our caste too., Annan told me all these things. And he added, “Because, we are born into this community, we are never given any, honour or dignity or respect; we are stripped of all that., But if we study and make progress, we can throw away, these indignities. So study with care, learn all you can. If, you are always ahead in your lessons, people will come to, you of their own accord and attach themselves to you., Work hard and learn.” The words that Annan spoke to me, that day made a very deep impression on me. And I studied, hard, with all my breath and being, in a frenzy almost., Memories of Childhood, , 2018-19, , 99

Page 8 :
A) Zitkala-Sa and Bama, B) Emily Brontë, C) Charles Dickens, D) None, , Q2- What does the story present?, A) An autobiography of the author, B) An autobiography of a man, C) An autobiographical episode from the lives of two women, D) None, , Q3- What are the names of the two women?, A) Zitkala Sa a Native American and Bama Tamilian Dalit, B) Zitkala and Sa, C) Ba and Ma, D) Annan and Bama, , Q4- What advice did Annan give to Bama?, A) to go away from the place, B) to leave the house, C) to study hard and progress to rise above all shackels of, indignity, D) All, , Q5- Who was Zitkala Sa?, A) A tamilian, B) A protester

Page 9 :
C) A native American, D) None, , Q6- What did Zitkala Sa find?, A) discrimination against native American culture and women, B) her dignity was in danger, C) women were in danger, D) all these, Q7- What did the cutting of long hair of Zitkala Sa symbolise in the, lesson?, A) subjection to the rulers, B) her wish to dominate, C) her wish to get justice, D) her wish to look modern, , Q8- Who is Bama’s brother?, A) A boy, B) A young boy, C) Annan, D) None, , Q9- How much time did Bama take to reach home?, A) 2 hours, B) 3hours, C) 4hours, D) 1 hour

Page 10 :
Q10- What is the meaning of childhood memories?, A) memories with a child, B) memories of the times spent with a child, C) memories of olden times, D) memories formed during childhood period, , Q11- Why did Bama reach home in one hour in place of 10, minutes?, A) she was watching shows on the road, B) she was stopping at every shop, C) she was enjoying all fun on the roads, D) all these, , Q12- What did Zitkala Sa feel when her long hair was cut?, A) oppression and victimization, B) happy and delidhted, C) relaxed, D) None, , Q13- What was Bama victim of?, A) gender prejudice, B) violence, C) child abuse, D) caste system, , Q14- What did Annan tell Bama?

Page 11 :
A) Education is the only way to break the chains of caste system, B) running away is the only way out to solve the problem, C) keeping quiet is the only way to solve the issue, D) none, , Q15- What did Zitkala mean by Eating By Formula?, A) Set pattern of sitting, B) set pattern of standing in lines, C) set pattern of rules, D) set pattern of eating decorum, , Q16- Why did Zitkala not like her hair cut?, A) because her mother told her that mourners and cowards keep, such hair., B) she liked long hair, C) she wanted different style, D) she didn’t like anyone to touch her hair, , Q17- Who told Bama that untouchability is a crime?, A) her mother, B) Zitkala and Sa, C) her sister, D) Her brother Annan, , Q18- What comic incident did Bama mention to her brother?, A) a man bringing vadas for his landlord by holding the vada, packet by a string.

Page 12 :
B) a man bringing vadas in a basket, C) a man bringing vadas in a tiffin, D) all these, , Q19- Which community does Bama belong to?, A) rich, B) Brahmins, C) Untouchable low caste, D) None, , Class 12 English Important Links, Class 12 English, , Class 12 Flamingo, , Flamingo and Vistas, , Book Chapter wise, , Book Notes, Lesson, , Video Explanation, , Explanation, Question, Answers, Class 12 Flamingo and, , Class 12 English, , vistas book MCQs, , Flamingo and Vistas, book MCQs Videos, , Class 12 English, , Class 12 English, , Important Questions, , Important Questions, Videos, , Q20- What is the meaning of untouchability?

Page 13 :
A) segregating a minority from the mainstream social group, B) not to touch anyone, C) keep distance from, D) none, , Q21- Why did Zitkala find Eating by formula a hard trial?, A) because of her inability to follow the bell taps, B) because of too many rules, C) because of restrictions, D) none, , Q22- What attracted Bama in the street?, A) monkeys, B) the cyclist, C) Pongal offerings, D) all these, , Q23- Why did Zitkala feel oppressed in her new establishment?, A) because of indignities shown to her, B) because she didn’t like the place, C) she wanted to be with her mother, D) none, , Q24- When did Bama first come to know of social discrimination?, A) in class 1, B) when she was in class 3

Page 14 :
C) when she was in class 2, D) when she was in class 4, , Q25- Why did the Landlord’s man ask Bama’s brother on which, street did they live?, A) to know his class, B) to know his background, C) to know his work, D) to know his caste, , Q26- "I felt like sinking to the floors" why did Zitkala feel so?, A) because her blanket was stripped off from her shoulders and, she felt uncomfortable, B) because she didn’t like her short hair, C) because she didn’t like her dress, D) because she felt cold, Q27- What did Judewin tell Zitkala?, A) A new dress is comimng, B) she will meet her mother, C) she will go to a new place, D) her hair would be cut, , Q28- How did Bama earn respect of the people of higher class?, A) by shopping, B) by spending money, C) by studying hard and earning first position in her class, D) all these

Page 15 :
Q29- What sort of shows attracted Bama?, A) shows by jugglers, B) shows by monkeys, C) shows by shopkeepers, D) shows by political people, , Q30- Why was Zitkala in tears on her first day in the land of, apples?, A) because of new environment, B) cultural differences, C) eating by formula and cutting of her hair, D) all these, , Q31- What was common between Bama and Zitkala?, A) belonged to minority, B) victims of cultural differences, C) were struggling because of class, D) all these, , Q32- Why did Zitkala start crying at the dining table ?, A) she didn’t like the food, B) she was a stranger, C) because of eating by formula, D) all these

Page 16 :
Q33- Why did Zitkala hide herself?, A) to save herself, B) to save herself from a woman, C) to save herself from other chidren, D) to stop people from cutting her hair, , Q34- How did the scene in the market change Bama’s life?, A) because of that she decided to study hard and stand against, discrimination, B) she became fearful, C) she became stubborn, D) she was irritated, , Q35- What was the author’s original name?, A) Zitkala, B) Zitkala sa, C) Zitkala Bama, D) Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, , Q36- What did the story showcase?, A) Discrimination on the basis of casteism specially with Indians in, western culture, B) difference of Indian and Western culture, C) views of minorities, D) none, , Q37- What was the name of the school where Zitkala studied?

Page 17 :
A) Carlisle Indian school, B) Carlisle Western school, C) Carlisle Indonesian school, D) Carlisle American school, Q38- What is Belfry?, A) part of a bell tower, B) part of a tower, C) part of a music tower, D) part of a silver tower, , Q39- Which family did Bama belog to?, A) A jewish family, B) a rich family, C) a poor catholic family, D) all, , Q40- What had hurt Bama in the society?, A) Political plays, B) class students, C) Road shows, D) Practice of untouchability, , ANSWER KEY, 1, , A, , 11, , D, , 21, , A, , 31, , D, , 2, , C, , 12, , A, , 22, , D, , 32, , C

Page 18 :
3, , A, , 13, , D, , 23, , A, , 33, , D, , 4, , C, , 14, , A, , 24, , B, , 34, , A, , 5, , C, , 15, , D, , 25, , D, , 35, , D, , 6, , A, , 16, , A, , 26, , A, , 36, , A, , 7, , A, , 17, , D, , 27, , D, , 37, , A, , 8, , C, , 18, , A, , 28, , C, , 38, , A, , 9, , D, , 19, , C, , 29, , D, , 39, , C, , 10, , D, , 20, , A, , 30, , D, , 40, , D, , Class 12 Important Videos Links, Class 12 English Important Questions Videos, Class 12 English Flamingo and Vistas book MCQs Videos, Class 12 Flamingo Book Chapter wise Video Explanation

Page 19 :
CBSE Class 12 Encglish Core, Revisoin Notes, Vistas Chapter-8, Memories of Childhold, , Two accounts took place in two cultures at different places and in different times but they, explore a common universal theme of prejudices and humiliation faced by marginalized, communities from mainstream culture and how both brave girls use their talent and, education to stand up for their own and community rights. Both use the power of pen to, fight oppression., 1. The Cutting of My Long Hair, The first part deals with the account of Simmons, An American Indian, who fought against, the prejudices of the society against American Indians.She describes her experiences on her, first day at the Carlisle Indian School. Zitkala SA‘s first day at school is unpleasant. The, customs and rules of the place were strange and new to her.She was forced to wear clothes, that were considered undignified in her culture., At the breakfast table, she does not understand the rules and makes several mistakes.Eating, by formula- at the first bell everyone had to pull a chair. Zitkala sat down and realised that, others were still standing. At the second bell everyone had to sit down. Zitkala stood up, when the second bell rang. She felt humiliated. Another bell rang and she was too scared to, do anything. She burst out crying.She was scared of the pale face woman. She was told about, the cutting of her hair by her friend Judewin.In her culture, unskilled warriors who were, captured had shingled hair and short hair was worn by mourners.She tried to hide but was, dragged, tied to a chair and her long hair was cut off. This cruelty crushed her spirit. She, remembered the comfort of her home., 2. We Too Are Human Beings., The second part is an excerpt from the autobiography ‘Karukku’ by Bama – a Tamil Dalit., Bama was an innocent child living in a village. She used to walk back home from school and, covered ten minutes of walk in half an hour to one hour as she watched all the fun games, such as street play, puppet show, snake charmer, performing monkey., , Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com., , 1/2

Page 20 :
Her innocence was lost when she experienced untouchability very early in life. One day she, saw an elder of her community carrying food packet holding it by its strings. She was, amused but her brother told her that they belonged to a low caste. So people from upper, caste believed that the food packet would be polluted if it was touched by them. Her brother, was once asked about the street he lived in to determine the caste he belonged to. He told her, to work hard to win honour and dignity. She studied hard and stood first in her class., PART –I, The first part deals with the account of Simmons, An American Indian, who fought, against the prejudices of the society against American Indians., She describes her experiences on her first day at the Carlisle Indian School., The customs and rules of the place were strange and new to her., She was forced to wear clothes that were considered undignified in her culture, At breakfast, she was embarrassed as she did not know the routine of the place., When she comes to know that they were planning to cut her hair, she protests by, hiding under the bed, even though she knew it was futile. In her culture, it was the, cowards whose hair was shingled., She felt like an animal driven by a herder., PART – II, The second part is an excerpt from the autobiography ‘Karukku’ by Bama – a Tamil, Dalit., She was in her third grade when she becomes aware of the indignities that the lower, caste people face., She happens to see an elderly person from her community abase himself in frontof a, higher caste person as he was not supposed to touch the food that he was ordered to, fetch for the landlord., Later, her brother explains to her that the incident was not at all funny as she initially, thought, but very pathetic. The people from the lower caste were treated as, untouchables., She was deeply saddened and decided to study hard to overcome discrimination., , Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com., , 2/2