Memories of Childhood Important Short and Long Question Class 12 Chapter-6 Book-Vistas

1. When did Bama first come to know of the social discrimination faced by the people of her community?

Ans:

Bama first realized the discrimination against her community (Dalits) when she saw an old man from her street carrying a packet of food by holding it from the strings instead of touching it with his hands. She later learned from her brother that upper-caste people considered Dalits “untouchable” and did not allow them to touch their food. This made her feel angry and hurt.

2. How did Zitkala-Sa try to prevent the shingling (cutting) of her hair?

Ans:

Zitkala-Sa resisted strongly when she learned that her hair would be cut. She:

• Hid under a bed in a dark room.

• Clutched the bed frame tightly when they tried to pull her out.

• Kicked and screamed in protest.

• Despite her struggle, the authorities forcibly cut her hair.

3. Why did the landlord’s man ask Bama’s brother on which street he lived? What was the significance?

Ans:

The landlord’s man asked Bama’s brother about his street to find out his caste. In her village, people’s caste was identified by the street they lived on. This showed the deep-rooted caste discrimination, where people were judged not by their talent or behavior, but by their caste.

4. Why was Zitkala-Sa terrified when Judewin told her that her hair would be cut short?

Ans:

Zitkala-Sa was terrified because, in her Native American culture, short hair was a symbol of defeat and shame. Only captured warriors or cowards had their hair cut. She felt that this act was an insult to her identity and dignity.

5. What did Zitkala-Sa feel when her long hair was cut?

Ans:

When her hair was cut, Zitkala-Sa felt deeply humiliated and helpless. She thought she had lost her individuality and cultural identity. She compared herself to a wooden puppet, as she was forced to obey without choice.

6. “I felt like sinking to the floor,” says Zitkala-Sa. When did she feel so and why?

Ans:

Zitkala-Sa felt like sinking to the floor when she was dragged out from her hiding place and forcibly had her hair cut. She felt powerless, defeated, and deeply insulted, as her cultural traditions were being destroyed.

7. What did Judewin tell Zitkala-Sa? How did she react to it?

Ans:

Judewin told Zitkala-Sa that their hair would be cut, and that they could not resist because the white authorities were stronger. However, Zitkala-Sa refused to give up and tried to hide and fight back.

8. How long would it take Bama to walk home from her school and why?

Ans:

Bama took a long time to reach home because she enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of the marketplace. She found joy in observing people selling fruits, street performances, and political processions. Her curiosity and excitement made her take much longer than usual.

9. When did Bama first come to know of the social discrimination faced by the people of her community?

Ans:

Bama first realized caste discrimination when she saw an elderly man carrying food for a landlord without touching it directly. When she asked her brother about it, he explained that Dalits were considered untouchable and were not allowed to touch food meant for upper-caste people. This made her feel angry and frustrated.

10. What are the similarities in the lives of Bama and Zitkala-Sa though they belong to different cultures?

Ans:

Despite belonging to different cultures (Bama – India, Zitkala-Sa – Native America), both faced social discrimination:

• Bama faced caste discrimination (as a Dalit).

• Zitkala-Sa faced racial discrimination (as a Native American).

• Both were forced to follow dominant cultural rules—Bama’s community was oppressed by caste and Zitkala-Sa’s identity was erased by colonial education.

• Both fought against discrimination—Bama through education and Zitkala-Sa through rebellion and activism.

Their stories show how deeply discrimination affects personal identity and dignity.