Bernice Bobs Her Hair

A key issue for F. Scott Fitzgerald as a Modernist writer was the rapidly shifting social norms of the early 20th century. During World War I, women took on new work to replace the men in military service. As a result, women’s suffrage was granted in 1920 through ratification of the 19th Amendment. Along with economic and political shifts, women demonstrated cultural, appearance-based shifts in femininity through shorter hair and looser clothes, forgoing the literal and figurative restrictions of the previous century’s tight-laced corsets. In “Bernice Bobs Her Hair,” Marjorie represents the expectations and desires of Jazz Age women, in contrast to the traditional viewpoints of her mother and Bernice.

The perspective of past generations is demonstrated several times through social censure, which Marjorie rejects. First, the balcony at the country club dance is full of matrons who are there to oversee “proper” behavior. However, at this event and others like it, Marjorie disappears. By escaping watchful eyes, Marjorie not only frustrates suitors like Warren but also rejects the matrons’ ability to supervise, and thereby control, her behavior. Marjorie knows that those with traditional standards disapprove of her independent actions, as she reveals to her mother after the opening party: “I’ll bet she consoles herself by thinking that she’s very virtuous and that I’m too gay and fickle and will come to a bad end” (362).