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Situational Irony
Style
Explanation and Analysis:
In "Bernice Bobs Her Hair," Fitzgerald examines the social effects of a young woman’s actions during the early 20th century. The careful, tentative style of the story reflects this; Bernice’s world is very high-risk, so the language of the story is hesitant and cautious. The story progresses at a consistent pace that occasionally decelerates during scenes portraying Bernice's dull interactions. Events that would otherwise seem very boring and inconsequential have huge implications for her, but the language of the story otherwise reflects the tedium she feels in her superficial social circle. This deliberate pacing underscores the stagnation of Bernice’s lived experience. One of the reasons for her abrupt change in character at the end of the story is how excruciatingly dull her life is at its beginning. As the story unfolds, the tempo accelerates, culminating in Bernice's horrific haircut. Although it doesn’t go the way she wants it to, it’s a symbolic act of rebellion. This shift in her life is in turn mirrored by Fitzgerald’s use of language.
Related Themes:
