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.
Fitzgerald’s diction is indicative of the era, blending conventional, formal early-20th-century American speech patterns with the colloquialisms of the time. Certain idioms and period-specific speech patterns appear repeatedly. This use of period-specific diction lends authenticity to the characters and the setting. It gives the story local color and makes the narrative more engaging and believable. The story's syntax, which is repetitive, clear, and detailed, is more contained than in some of Fitzgerald’s other works. This restrained sentence structure reflects the social and personal limitations Bernice faces. Although she’s having deeply painful experiences on the inside, the story’s measured sentences reflect her need to conform to the social standards she’s been raised to follow.
Fitzgerald’s use of figurative language in “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” is typical of his short stories. It’s full of similes and metaphors. By comparing the act of cutting her hair to facing the guillotine, for example, Fitzgerald emphasizes the weight of a decision as simple as a haircut for a young woman in Bernice’s position.
