Ch 20 · Vistas · Zitkala-Sa & Bama

Memories of
Childhood

20 MCQs NCERT Class 12 Updated May 2026
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Chapter Overview

Two autobiographical extracts on early experiences of injustice. Part 1 (Zitkala-Sa, Native American) recounts her first day at a boarding school where her long hair — a sign of dignity in her culture — is forcibly cut. Part 2 (Bama, Tamil Dalit) describes how she first observed untouchability — an elderly Dalit man carrying a packet of vada by the strings, never touching it, for an upper-caste landlord — and her brother's explanation that began her life of rebellion through education.

Key Themes
Key Concepts
Zitkala-Sa
Native American girl at a boarding school
Long hair
Cultural sign of dignity; cut by force
Bama
Tamil Dalit girl observing untouchability
Vada packet
Carried by string, never touched, for the landlord
Annan
Bama's brother — explains caste; sparks resolve to study
Sample MCQs
Q1. What happens to Zitkala-Sa on her first day at the boarding school?
A. She wins a scholarship for academic excellence
B. Her long hair — a sign of dignity in her culture — is forcibly cut
C. She is sent home for being too young
D. She learns three new languages on the first day
Zitkala-Sa's long hair is cut by force — an assault on her cultural identity and a turning point of trauma.
Q2. What injustice does Bama observe in her village?
A. Children being denied entry to the village school
B. An elderly Dalit man carrying a vada packet by the strings — not touching it — for an upper-caste landlord
C. Women being excluded from a religious festival
D. Beggars being ill-treated at a temple
Bama observes the elder Dalit's deference — a daily enactment of untouchability. Her brother explains, igniting her resolve to study.