Marjorie And Bernice Analysis

As a result of the newfound friendship between Marjorie and Bernice and Bernice’s striking “one liners”, Bernice receives more attention from men at dances. Throughout the first dance with her new persona, Bernice engages in conversations with men and asks their opinion of bobbed hair. She proceeds to inform them of her decision “that early next week (she’s) going down to the Sevier Hotel barbershop, (sitting) in the first chair, and (getting her) hair bobbed” and will be “charging admission” (250). This line sparks the attention of several men such as Charley Paulson and G. Reece Stoddard. Moreover, Bernice’s witty remarks result in her “being cut in on several times in the past five minutes” and even “Charley Paulson (heading) for her with

Originally, Marjorie had set out to turn Bernice into a version of herself by sharing her secrets to catching the attention of men and behaving in a bold manner. However, Marjorie ultimately causes her own downfall, as Bernice rises to popularity and starts to steal the spotlight as well as Marjorie’s male admirers. Although at first Marjorie doesn’t seem concerned by Bernice’s new relationship with Warren, she soon develops a strong hatred and jealousy towards Bernice. This is evident when Marjorie coldly tells Bernice, “You may as well stop making a fool of yourself over Warren McIntyre. He doesn't care a snap of his fingers about you” (259). As a result, Bernice “felt suddenly and horribly guilty” because “she had stolen Marjorie’s property” (260). In an effort to reassert her dominance over Bernice, Marjorie shares her secret of not actually intending to bob her hair. This is seen when Marjorie states, “That’s only a bluff of hers. I should think you’d have realized” (260). This social attack against Bernice lowers her confidence and embarrasses her in front of all her new acquaintances, and signifies the breaking point of their friendship. However, rather than acting cowardly, Bernice stays truthful to her word and has her hair bobbed. Perhaps the official destruction of the friendship occurs right before Bernice’s hair is cut, in which Bernice looks over and sees “Marjorie’s mouth curling in a faint ironic smile as if to say: “Give up and get down! You tried to buck me and I called your bluff” (266). Marjorie’s cruel smirk shows her harsh intentions to make Bernice suffer the consequences of her relationship with Warren. It is also significant that although Marjorie strives to be the ultimate modern flapper figure, she is a hypocrite in possessing the long hair of the traditional