In what ways are social expectations established through this story? In what kind of community does the story take place? What does that community value or condemn, and how are those priorities shown throughout the story?

How does this story demonstrate the historic, cultural, and symbolic significance of hair? How is hair tied to sexuality and/or gender? How is the loss of her hair transformative to Bernice’s character, and what are its social implications?

What role does self-consciousness play? How are the characters affected by being aware or unaware of their own features and behaviors? Who demonstrates these issues, how, and to what effect? What are the advantages and disadvantages, as conveyed through the story, of being self-conscious?