Solution

The two accounts given in the unit ‘Memories of Childhood’ are based on two distant cultures. Two grown-up and celebrated writers from marginalised communities look back on their childhood. They reflect on their relationship with the mainstream. The discrimination, oppression, humiliation, suffering and insults that they faced as young, members of the marginalised communities are common to both. Zitkala-Sa highlights the severe prejudice that prevailed towards the Native American culture and women. Depriving her of her blanket that covered her shoulders made her look indecent in her own eyes. The cutting of her long hair reduces her to the status of a defeated warrior as in her culture shingled hair is worn only by cowards. The replacing of her moccasins with squeaking shoes and “eating by formula” at the breakfast table are other signs of forcible erosion of their own culture and imposition of dogma on them. Bama highlights the humiliations faced by the untouchables who were never given any honour, dignity or respect as they were born into lower classes. They were made to live apart, run errands, and bow humbly to their masters. They scrupulously avoided direct contact with the people of higher classes or the things used by them. The sense of rebellion against the existing state of affairs and the decision to improve them are also common themes.