Bernice Bobs Her Hair

In this story, the motif of eyes and the direction of the gaze are used to convey social policing, which enriches its exploration of Downfall Through the Temptation of Social Acceptance. At the beginning of the story, the “sharp eyes” and “stony eyes” of the matrons are turned toward the dancers at the party (356). This gaze threatens gossip and reprimand if those dancers stray from acceptable behavior.

After Bernice accepts Marjorie’s advice and charms men at the dinner party, Marjorie notes Bernice’s “sparkling eyes” as she feels the effects of her transformation. Though Bernice is not looking toward anything particular at that moment, her internal success is only achievable through external validation. In contrast to that momentary triumph, at the climax of the story, when Bernice’s hair is cut, she most acutely feels the sting of failure through the looks of others: “Four eyes—Warren’s and Marjorie’s—stared at her, challenged her, defied her” (376). Through most of that scene, Warren and Marjorie do not have dialogue, yet their influence on and condemnation of Bernice is undeniable through their eyes.

Bernice doesn’t want to cut her hair, but she goes through with it as a rebellious reaction to Marjorie’s bullying.