Blog Numero 4-Bernice Bobs Her Hair

How does Fitzgerald represent the nature of identity in "Bernice Bobs Her Hair"? Is identity a static thing or is it something we can change? What does Bernice's actions at the end of the story reveal about her identity--has she changed?

1. I enjoyed this short story alot!! I read that the original story had a different ending but Fitzgerald changed it because editors would enjoy the new ending more than the old one. Bernice was a beautiful girl but lacked one thing- confidence. Marjorie taught her some tricks on getting the interest of boys and it actually worked. The tricks that Marjorie used proved that she usually lied to the boys at these parties just to make herself look better (when comparing herself to other females). I expected Marjorie to be more empathetic towards Bernice, but she seemed to enjoy seeing Bernice suffer. When Bernice caught the eye of Marjorie's love interest, Warren, that is when the battle begins. Marjorie has already made the decision that she will come up on top and now she tells the boys that Bernice is using simple "pick up lines" to get boys. These lines are simply used to get their interest but Marjorie exposes that Bernice will never live up to these lines. She is not what readers expect out of a family member.
2.The nature of identity includes change-noone will remain the same. This experience makes Bernice a strong,mature, and less naive person. She knows not to trust anyone (even your family members). She realizes that everyone has their self-interest as number one on their priority list and things like that usually dont change. Identity changes because people do not remain the same at 25 as they were at 5 years old. People learn about others, have different expectations and learn how to react to different situations. Bernice reaction shows that she has not matured completely but Marjories action also prove that she is VERY immature. Cutting off Marjorie proves that what goes around, comes around and now Marjorie will probably loose the interest of Warren also.