Keyword Guide · character-analysis
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story centers on small-town social hierarchies and teenage identity. Each character serves as a mirror for 1920s youth culture and gender norms. This guide gives you concrete tools to analyze their roles for class, quizzes, and essays.
The core characters of Bernice Bobs Her Hair are Bernice, a quiet, unconfident outsider; Marjorie, her popular, manipulative cousin; and Warren, a charming local boy caught between them. Each character embodies conflicting values of conformity and individuality that drive the story’s plot and themes.
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Bernice is the story’s protagonist, whose struggle to fit in leads to a dramatic act of rebellion. Marjorie is the antagonist, a master of social performance who weaponizes popularity to control others. Warren is a secondary character who highlights the gap between surface charm and genuine connection.
Next step: List 2 specific actions each character takes that reveal their core values, then pair each action with a story theme.
Action: Review the story and note 3 specific behaviors for each core character
Output: A 3-column chart linking character names, behaviors, and implied traits
Action: Pair each character’s key trait with one story theme (e.g., Bernice’s rebellion = individuality and. conformity)
Output: A 1-sentence thematic link for each core character
Action: Gather 2 specific story details to support each thematic link
Output: A bullet-point list of evidence tied to character and theme claims
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Action: Read through the story and mark every time a character makes a deliberate choice (e.g., speaking up, staying quiet, lying)
Output: A list of 3-5 defining actions for each core character
Action: For each action, ask: What does this choice say about the character’s view of social norms, identity, or popularity?
Output: A 1-sentence explanation for each action tying it to a story theme
Action: Group related actions and theme links into coherent claims about each character’s role
Output: A 2-paragraph character analysis draft ready for class discussion
Teacher looks for: Claims about character traits are supported by specific, relevant story details
How to meet it: Avoid vague adjectives like ‘nice’ or ‘mean’; instead, reference concrete actions like ‘Bernice lies about knowing how to bob hair’
Teacher looks for: Character analysis is tied directly to the story’s central themes, not just plot events
How to meet it: Explicitly state how a character’s choices reveal a theme, e.g., ‘Marjorie’s manipulation highlights the pressure to maintain social status’
Teacher looks for: Analysis acknowledges how 1920s social norms shape character behavior
How to meet it: Research 1-2 key 1920s teen social trends and link them to a character’s actions, e.g., ‘Bernice’s bob was an act of rebellion against 1920s female respectability norms’
Bernice starts the story as a quiet, awkward visitor unfamiliar with local social rules. She is desperate to be liked, so she lets Marjorie train her to perform popularity. Track her small acts of resistance before her final dramatic choice to prepare for class discussion. Use this before class to lead a conversation about character agency.
Marjorie is a master of teenage social politics, using her popularity to control those around her. She sees Bernice as a project to boost her own status, then turns on her when Bernice threatens her dominance. List 3 specific ways Marjorie manipulates others, then connect each to a theme of social performance. Use this before essay drafts to build evidence for a Marjorie-focused analysis.
Warren is a wealthy, popular boy who initially favors Marjorie over Bernice. His changing opinion of Bernice reveals how social performance can warp judgment. Identify the moment Warren’s view of Bernice shifts, then explain why that moment matters to the story’s theme. Use this before quizzes to solidify your understanding of secondary character roles.
Minor characters like Marjorie’s friends and local townspeople act as a collective mirror for social norms. They reinforce Marjorie’s authority until Bernice’s rebellion breaks their conformity. Note 1 specific interaction between a minor character and Bernice that highlights group behavior. Use this before exam prep to show you understand how all characters contribute to the story’s message.
The power between Bernice, Marjorie, and Warren shifts throughout the story, tied to who controls social approval. Map which character holds power at the story’s beginning, middle, and end. Compare these power shifts to modern social dynamics to make your analysis relatable. Use this before group projects to guide a discussion of power and popularity.
1920s America saw a rise in youth culture and changing gender norms, which directly influence every character’s actions. Bernice’s final act was a radical challenge to 1920s expectations for young women. Research one 1920s social trend (e.g., flapper culture) and link it to a character’s choice. Use this before essay drafts to add depth and historical context to your analysis.
Bernice is the main character, whose arc from passive outsider to intentional rebel drives the story’s plot and themes.
Marjorie is motivated by maintaining her social status and control over her peer group. She sees Bernice as a tool to boost her own popularity before rejecting her.
Warren serves as a barometer of social approval, highlighting how surface charm and performance can change others’ opinions.
The characters reflect 1920s tensions between traditional gender roles and emerging youth culture, with Bernice’s rebellion symbolizing the rise of flapper-era autonomy.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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