Bernice Bobs Her Hair is a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, first published in 1920. The story centers around a young woman named Bernice and her relationship with her cousin Marjorie.
Bernice is a quiet, timid girl who is often overshadowed by her outgoing and confident cousin Marjorie. Bernice is also quite plain in appearance, with straight, unremarkable hair that she wears in a simple bun. Despite her lack of confidence, Bernice is desperate to fit in with the socialites of her small town and be liked by the popular crowd.
Marjorie, on the other hand, is a beautiful and popular young woman with a penchant for social climbing. She sees Bernice as a project and decides to help her become more fashionable and popular. Marjorie convinces Bernice to cut off her long, straight hair and bob it in the latest style. At first, Bernice is reluctant to make such a drastic change, but eventually agrees in the hope that it will help her fit in.
The haircut is a success, and Bernice becomes the talk of the town. She becomes more confident and outgoing, and the popular crowd takes notice. However, Bernice's newfound popularity comes at a price. Marjorie becomes jealous of Bernice's success and begins to sabotage her, causing Bernice to lose her new friends and revert to her old, timid self.
In the end, Bernice realizes that true popularity and acceptance cannot be gained through superficial means such as fashion and appearance. She learns to be true to herself and to value her own worth, rather than seeking validation from others.
Overall, Bernice and Marjorie are complex and well-developed characters. Bernice's journey from shy and timid to confident and popular, and then back again, is a relatable and realistic portrayal of the struggles of trying to fit in and find one's place in the world. Marjorie, on the other hand, is a complex and multifaceted character who is both selfish and manipulative, but also has moments of genuine care and concern for her cousin. Both characters are well-rounded and fully realized, making them engaging and interesting to read about.