COLLECTED STORIES: BERNICE BOBS HER HAIR

by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I want to be a society vampire, you see, she announced coolly, and went on to inform him that bobbed hair was the necessary prelude. She added that she wanted to ask his advice, because she had heard he was so critical about girls.

Genres: Short Stories, Classics, Fiction, Audiobook, Literature, American, School

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1920

About the author

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, widely known simply as Scott Fitzgerald, was an American novelist, essayist, and short story writer. He is best known for his novels depicting the flamboyance and excess of the Jazz Age, a term he popularized in his short story collection Tales of the Jazz Age. During his lifetime, he published four novels, four story collections, and 164 short stories. Although he achieved temporary popular success and fortune in the 1920s, Fitzgerald received critical acclaim only after his death and is now widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century.
Born into a middle-class family in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Fitzgerald was raised primarily in New York state. He attended Princeton University where he befriended future literary critic Edmund Wilson. Owing to a failed romantic relationship with Chicago socialite Ginevra King, he dropped out in 1917 to join the United States Army during World War I. While stationed in Alabama, he met Zelda Sayre, a Southern debutante who belonged to Montgomery's exclusive country-club set. Although she initially rejected Fitzgerald's marriage proposal due to his lack of financial prospects, Zelda agreed to marry him after he published the commercially successful This Side of Paradise (1920). The novel became a cultural sensation and cemented his reputation as one of the eminent writers of the decade.
His second novel, The Beautiful and Damned (1922), propelled him further into the cultural elite. To maintain his affluent lifestyle, he wrote numerous stories for popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Collier's Weekly, and Esquire. During this period, Fitzgerald frequented Europe, where he befriended modernist writers and artists of the "Lost Generation" expatriate community, including Ernest Hemingway. His third novel, The Great Gatsby (1925), received generally favorable reviews but was a commercial failure, selling fewer than 23,000 copies in its first year. Despite its lackluster debut, The Great Gatsby is now hailed by some literary critics as the "Great American Novel". Following the deterioration of his wife's mental health and her placement in a mental institute for schizophrenia, Fitzgerald completed his final novel, Tender Is the Night (1934).
Struggling financially because of the declining popularity of his works during the Great Depression, Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood, where he embarked upon an unsuccessful career as a screenwriter. While living in Hollywood, he cohabited with columnist Sheilah Graham, his final companion before his death. After a long struggle with alcoholism, he attained sobriety only to die of a heart attack in 1940, at 44. His friend Edmund Wilson edited and published an unfinished fifth novel, The Last Tycoon (1941), after Fitzgerald's death. In 1993, a new edition was published as The Love of the Last Tycoon, edited by Matthew J. Bruccoli.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernice is a pretty girl, but she’s no idea how to talk to boys, unlike her cousin Marjorie. Marjorie is a devious and unkind girl, though she’s extremely popular with the opposite sex. She finds her cousin Bernice completely boring, but she’s prepared to give her some tips on how to attract boys, however, things don’t play out how Marjorie intended, and there are consequences! Loved this one.

My thanks to GR friend Carol (Geraghty) for telling me about the film Bernice Bobs her Hair, which led me to search for the print version of it.

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4368/...

[Duane Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernice vs Marjorie. Cousin vs cousin. Polite and unassuming Bernice is visiting her narcissistic and snobbish cousin Marjorie. When jealously arises over the affections of a certain young man, a battle of wits and wills ensues and reaches a conclusion that is both surprising and satisfying.

This very entertaining short story was first published in 1920 in the Saturday Evening Post. Set in the roaring twenties, but this one has a different feel than other Fitzgerald short stories that I've read.

4 stars.

[Layla · Rating 2 out of 5]

~ 2 stars ~

This was so boring. The drama wasn't even entertaining. There was a lot of unnecessary girl on girl hate over a personality-less mediocre man. The ending was very petty, and so was this entire book in general to be honest. I didn't have a good time reading this, the characters were bland, and if I didn't have to do so, I don't think I would have ever picked it up on my own, nor would I ever recommend it to anyone.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernice is pretty, but dowdy and serious. Her cousin Marjorie is frivolous and popular. F. Scott Fitzgerald takes all the glamour of the roaring 20s and turns it on its ear. The story is a delight and the ending is too satisfying!

A favorite quote:

At eighteen our convictions are hills from which we look; at forty-five they are caves in which we hide.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun short story! Quite a bit is packed into its 48 pages. Bronson Pinchot did a wonderful job bringing the story to life.

It was originally published as a short story, with the cover dedicated to it, in The Saturday Evening Post in 1920.

[Anna (Bobs Her Hair) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Oh, my Lord!" cried Marjorie in desperation. "You little nut! Girls like you are responsible for all the tiresome colorless marraiges; all those ghastly ineffiencies that pass as feminine qualities. what a blow it must be when a man with imagination marries the beautiful bundle of clothes that he's been building ideals round, and finds that she's just a weak, whining, cowardly mass of affectations!"

I read F. Scott's Fitzgerald's short story "Bernice Bobs Her Hair" in high school. I loved it! After reading it again twenty plus years later - the angst, Marjorie, and Bernice - I still love this short story set in the Roaring Twenties.

Fitzgerald was inspired by letters to his younger sister on how to be more attractive to men. We see the sexism of the time - the cattiness and manipulations of teens, the peer pressure - which are told through third person omniscient narrative.

The characters live in upper crust society and they can be perceived as shallow people, but Bernice is the underdog in the story. She doesn't understand why she doesn't fit in with Marjories friends, and the need to see her rise above Marjorie's scathing review of her sucks us into the story.

I'm not too sure about Fitzgerald's characterization of Marjorie. She sounds like a man in a woman's body, instead of a behaving like a forward-thinking female. It makes me wonder how much Fitzgerald is represented in Majorie. Despite my little issue, this short story, which was first posted in The Saturday Evening Post in 1920, is a classic!

Recommended Quick Read!



More Quotes

Bernice had all the sensations of Marie Antoinette bound for the guillotine in a tumbrel. Vaguely she wondered why she did not cry out that it was all a mistake. It was all she could do to keep from clutching her hair with both hands to protect it from the suddenly hostile world.

[Connie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the Roaring Twenties, this is a coming-of-age story about the pressures of fitting in a group, and feeling accepted during the teenage years. The story is about being so overly concerned with popularity and social standing that one's true identity is lost. Bernice's snobbish cousin, Marjorie, gives Bernice advice so she'll be more popular. But the advice works too well! The story goes on to a satisfying ending.

[Joselito Honestly and Brilliantly · Rating 5 out of 5]

F. Scott Fitzgerald picked the weakest plots and settings which many who loved to have grand eternal questions spicing up their novels and stories would easily find mundane or of no interest or concern to them. Yet it is here that I find marvel in his works.

What do I care, indeed, about a love triangle among the rich, beautiful, amoral pre-war Americans? Yet he told the story nevertheless and I saw how pristine his prose was and so five stars for "The Great Gatsby" from me.

What do I care about two young Ivy Leaguers, rich like most Fitzgerald characters, obsessed with looking better, being the belle of the ball, and being with cute boys? And yet, five stars also for this short story. This is perhaps the only story whose subject matter is as alien to me as Mars but which I had to reread to relive the sheer pleasure of Fitzgerald's tantalizing pace, smart dialogues and brilliant, lively characters.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Fitzgerald short story and I really enjoyed it. Fitting for the times, a story about the pitfalls of popularity and the hazard of getting what you wish for as well as the sweet taste of revenge.

[Mary Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bob - that crazy, immoral haircut of the 1920s, popular with flappers and those who threw caution to the wind; rebels without a cause. If you sported a bob, it meant you were living life on the edge. Never before, or again, has a haircut defined an era like the infamous bob. Bernice Bobs Her Hair was originally published in the 1920 May edition of The Saturday Evening Post. Bobs were all the rage, signifying independence. The bob haircut was invented in 1909 by Polish hairdresser Antoine de Paris, the first celebrity hairdresser, whose inspiration was Joan of Arc. The eye-catching cut caught on. Film stars and flappers flaunted the short, chin-length cut. Gone were long, Edwardian locks. Soon, there was the Castle Bob, named after ballroom dancer Irene Castle. In the 1930s, Coco Channel popularized the French girl trend, the Channel haircut. Fitzgerald's own wife, Zelda, wore a bold bob. I, myself, have had several different adaptations of the bob. However, I favor the old school Edwardian look.

So, why did Fitzgerald write about a fad, a haircut of all things? Finding inspiration in real-life, Fitzgerald based his short story on a series of letters he'd written to his fourteen-year-old sister, Annabel. She wanted to be popular. Nineteen-year-old Fitzgerald was advising his sister on social standards of their times. Bernice Bobs Her Hair was drafted from these very letters. Of course, Fitzgerald changed the ending to appeal to audiences. Another fun fact: Fitzgerald named his character Bernice after the legendary Berenice II of Egypt. Berenice II sacrificed her locks to ensure victory in battle. For her bravery, the gods placed her tresses in the constellations. I imagine Fitzgerald's naughty Bernice didn't fare so well. Still, I enjoyed this short story that gives modern readers a glance into the past. If only today's issues were as insignificant as jealousy, rivalry, and a haircut.

[Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

So perfectly real.

[Beda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 Stars Last year after I read and enjoyed The Great Gatsby, I vowed to try more of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s work. I was advised that his short stories were really his strong suit, which is how I arrived at this title.

This story is about Two girls: Marjorie, the home town girl, and her cousin Bernice, who came for the summer to stay with Marjorie’s family. Their mutual summer life centered around the dances at the country club, where Marjorie was a popular girl, but Bernice was a dud. None of the boys wanted to dance with her because she was a terrible conversationalist. One evening after one of the dances, Bernice overheard Marjorie complaining to her mother about Bernice and gets very upset with Marjorie. And so, to make things better between them, Marjorie agrees to help Bernice with her dress and most of all, her conversation skills.

I’ll not give away any more than that as I don’t want to spoil the story. But it’s a fun, jazz age tale: a period a little later than what I usually read (Victorian novels). It was a nice diversion as I’m reading a few really long books right now and so was looking for something short by an author I wanted to spend more time with. This story was just the ticket and F. Scott Fitzgerald did not disappoint. I liked this story very much and will continue my exploration of his work.

[Gaele · Rating 5 out of 5]

AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall: 5 Narration: 5 Story: 4
I am admittedly not a huge fan of Fitzgerald’s work, although I can and do appreciate his sharp wit that informs observations and commentary about behavior and motivations. What stands out most sharply is the fact that human behavior and desires have not changed: the characters in this story are self-absorbed, obsessed with fitting in, vary in their social skills and awareness, and are far too prone to influence from those on the “higher rungs” of the social ladder.

There are several moments to enjoy in this story: proclamations about the psychology of attracting men and developing charm that fly from Marjorie’s lips are clever and the connection between letters Fitzgerald sent with advice to his sister are abundantly clear. I cannot help but think that his advice did contain some of the lesson that is visited on both cousins at the end, and presenting a story with such a clever conclusion, slightly devious and wholly appropriate for the character of Bernice was satisfying.

The narration provided by Lee Ann Howlett presented the story and the characters in a cleanly presented form: small tonal distinctions delineated the characters from one another and the narrative in a well-modulated presentation. Finely nuanced inflections provide verbal clues to the attitudes and personalities of the characters, from hesitancy to offhanded bravado, each was a perfectly voiced addition to the written text.

This is one of the stories that become the definition of a classic short: the setting is nearly a century prior, but the characters and people are real and easy to relate to with a modern eye. This should be your introduction to Fitzgerald’s writing, short, sweet and beautiful prose in his style, but not so long as to feel overwhelming.

I received an audiobook copy of the story from the publisher via AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review at the Heard Word. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as expected, did not think it would deal with anything like this, I had more social justice female stuff because of bobbing the hair etc, but the ending was great, well deserved, and I hope Bernice learns to love her hair.

[K. Anna Kraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have arranged my thoughts into a haiku:

"In high class combat,
The cattiness of young girls
Holds few loyalties."

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections for MS Lit Class:

Bernice is described as conservative and dull in this short story, but through it all I was in her corner. As an ex-teen girl I still remember how it felt to want to change yourself to fit in (I think most adults still feel this need, it’s not just for teens, and not just for girls) “if I were skinnier, if I were funnier, if I went to the parties, if I had different friends….” The adolescent experience is a bit like playing chess, we make our moves deliberately, hoping to move further across the board.

This is why I made such a strong text-to self connection to Bernice Bobs her hair. Nothing was wrong with Bernice, she’s less flashy than the other girls that are it, and her nerves get the best of her when she is with the boys. Cousin Marjorie decides to help her cousin, mostly out of frustration and embarrassment, and finds her makeover plan backfires, when Bernice uses the lines Marjorie taught her to snag a boy whose attentions used to be centered on Marjorie (whom she ignored until he started paying attention to Bernice.) Marjorie then forces Bernice’s hand, which leaves them both in a less than great position by the end.

Another reviewer noted that "this short story’s theme is the desire for popularity in the shallow, appearance-obsessed social climate of the famous Roaring 20s.” It may have been written more than 70 years ago, but that theme is something students of today can completely relate to. Think of all the book, movies, and TV shows that are drama-filled (Pretty Little Liars, The Clique Series for example.) It is interesting to look at the social changes in this book, bobbed hair was seen as wild, and morally lacking, which is funny because now the haircut is seen as very conservative, classy yet boring. This is something teachers can discuss, but mostly I think the theme of trying to change yourself to fit in is something teachers can use, I can’t think of any middle school-er who would not relate.

[Jessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this short story surprised me. I enjoyed it much more than any novel I've read by him. I'm glad I gave his short stories a chance, I'll probably read more (though I think I'm finally calling it on his novels).

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hair is important, and revenge is sweet. (Quick, one-hour audiobook.)

[Aaron Gourlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this short story. I have no idea how anyone put this story as less than 5 stars. I hadn’t read this since high school and completely forgot what happened. So good so funny so delightfully vengeful.

[Tempo de Ler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernice vai passar o verão com a prima Marjorie na cidade quando escuta, sem querer, Marjorie queixar-se à mãe de como a prima é insonsa, apagada e sem qualquer habilidade social; uma "seca" tão grande que nenhum jovem quer sequer dançar com ela. Depois de ameaçar que se vai embora, Bernice decide, em vez disso, seguir os conselhos da prima de forma a tornar-se mais popular entre os seus pares. Assim, aprende a manter conversas interessantes, elogiando e seduzindo os jovens do sexo masculino. Até Warren, um dos rapazes que Marjorie gosta de manter pelo beicinho, fica cativado por esta nova Bernice, espirituosa e patusca. Para cunhar a sua irreverência, Bernice afirma que um dia vai cortar o cabelo curto e convida quem quiser a testemunhar o acontecimento… Por maldade, e certa de que o resultado será tão chocante que todos perderão imediatamente o interesse na prima, Marjorie desafia Bernice a cumprir de uma vez por todas a ameaça de cortar o cabelo.

Bernice Corta o Cabelo, escrito há mais de 90 anos, não está assim tão longe da nossa realidade actual. Continuamos a pender para o egocentrismo, obcecados em "pertencer" a algum grupo, a "encaixar" em algum lado, mesmo que isso nos custe parte da nossa individualidade. Influenciáveis, continuamos a ser seduzidos por estatutos sociais em vários tempos e contextos das nossas vidas; tentamos moldar-nos ao que e a quem nos rodeia, afadigando-nos com o ressentimento que acaba por se gerar. Naturalmente tímida e sossegada, Bernice transforma-se num completo oposto, comprometendo a sua personalidade, para poder encaixar no grupo da prima e ser olhada com admiração por pessoas em quem reconhece traços de crueldade e futilidade.

Este livro é interessante pela abordagem desta nossa orientação secular, mas também pela curiosidade e interesse sobre as práticas e hábitos do início do século XX. Miúda da cidade, na moda e popular, Marjorie explica e descreve os traços femininos que atraem os homens desta altura. O que era considerado de mau tom no tempo das mães destas duas jovens primas era agora visto como atraente. Ser atrevido estava agora em voga.

Gostei muito do enredo, mas a prosa do autor é ainda mais deslumbrante. Sem perder tempo com divagações, Fitzgerald compõe retratos completos que nos transportam imediatamente para o local de acção e permite-nos conhecer os seus personagens através de poucas palavras. Esta capacidade de delineamento e descrição é uma destreza que aprecio muito neste escritor e este livro deu-me a ideia de que acertou em cheio em cada palavra escolhida.

E quanto ao final do livro, este até pode ser mesquinho… mas é tão satisfatório!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fitzgerald is really a good writer, I enjoying his short stories very much.

He present the characters in a simple deep way, and build the story Quickly and ingeniously way.

I liked the bernice and Marjorie characters very much, and the world of 1920.

Nice short story.

[Mela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw three levels/aspects in these short story.

--> A glimpse at those times, the life of young Lost Generation.

--> A sample of the wisdom of an author.

At eighteen our convictions are hills from which we look; at forty-five they are caves in which we hide.

--> A critical (unfair?) view of women.

"...Girls like you are responsible for all the tiresome colorless marriages; all those ghastly inefficiencies that pass as feminine qualities. What a blow it must be when a man with imagination marries the beautiful bundle of clothes that he's been building ideals round, and finds that she's just a weak, whining, cowardly mass of affectations!"

And all in such short story. My first by F. Scott Fitzgerald and definitely not last.

PS You can find it in 'Flappers and Philosophers' on gutenberg.org or listen to the reading on LibriVox.

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying ending after an uncertain beginning -- a boring girl visiting her cousin makes changes in herself in order to become popular. Though not such a great premise, there are some good tips about being a better conversationalist and focusing on the shyer members of the opposite sex.

[Susan Liston · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only all short stories were as delightful as this one. And don't miss the TV adaptation from 1976, currently viewable on Amazon....

[Maria Stanica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story! Definitely check it out if you haven't tried anything by F. Scott Fitzgerald, yet.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

There were some shocking and fun parts in this short- don't want to give anything away.

[María · Rating 2 out of 5]

WHAT THE ACTUAL F*** GIRL

[Fatima Sheriff · Rating 3 out of 5]

She sure did!

[Bernice Oerlemans · Rating 5 out of 5]

And so she did.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic F. Scott Flappers tale with a "Gotcha B** moment at the end.

Sorry for the explicative in the description but there was no other way to explain it because that is Exactly what I laughed and said at the end.

F. Scott writes "the flapper" and the snobbish rich well. That is exactly who we encounter in this short story. Bernice Bobs Her Hair. This is a story about two cousins. It's a bit of the country mouse vs city mouse in theory. Marjorie is everything city. She dresses fashionably. She's popular. All the men fawn over her and her blonde hair and she...snobbishly pretends not to notice. She is a "now" woman. And then, there is Bernice her shy, quiet, country cousin who comes to stay once a year. Bernice, is the polar opposite of her cousin Marjorie. Her family has money back home but her popularity in society is based upon her mothers pressing verses any doing of her own. Here in the city with her very forward cousin, she is very out of place. At the social events out of pity Marjorie begs her hangers on to entertain Bernice for some time because she finds her old fashioned quiet womanly ways pitiful. Bernice herself had no idea that the city society considered her pitiful until one night she stumbled upon a conversation she was not meant to overhear. Out of anger she lashes out at Marjorie only to be met by her sheer lack of concern. After some meditation on her status, she began to question herself and wonder if everyone was not right? With a sense of determination and anger she solicited Marjorie's help in turning her into the belle of society. Eventually what started as helping her simple cousin, turned into a popularity contest with Marjorie's place being questioned. Marjorie sets out to fix her interloping cousin. But there is a surprise at the end!

Really enjoyed it. I listened to this vs read and I still think I will enjoy it even more when I have the opportunity to read the words. There is no question F. Scott sets the perfect scene. I could imagine each location, each character perfectly. I'll go ahead and call it 5 stars. If I based it on that person reading it it would be 4 but I know the written version will be phenomenal and send me into a quoting frenzy. I do recommend it to anyone who enjoys this author or likes the classics. I could so see this as a movie.