Hair

1 Pages 335 Words

Response to Hair

I think Marcia Aldrich’s essay “Hair” is an interesting interpretation of the different personalities she encounters in her life. She bases her story around her mother’s obsession with her hairstyle. She makes sure to point out that her mother’s weekly appointment to get her hair done is a ritual. I think this is a good representation of the life her mother leads. Maybe since she got married she feels like she doesn’t have control over much anymore and has taken a more submissive position as “wife.” Therefore she feels that she needs to control the things she can have control over. That’s why she religiously does her own hair and also feels the need to control Marcia’s hair.
The oldest sister seems like she is very laid back. She makes the statement, “it’s immature to never stop thinking about your hair.” I think this is a good indication that her sister feels comfortable with herself and doesn’t worry about looks or needing to have control in her life. It’s ironic because she makes this statement towards her mother. Perhaps this shows the change in women’s attitudes and roles over time.
The middle sister shows a less secure side than that of her older sister. She is constantly changing her look. Maybe this is because she was the middle child and she feels like it will help her get more attention and standout from the other two.
Marcia is the one who seems to stick out the most of all the women. She never really takes a stand on how she feels about hairstyles. Therefore it is interesting to see how she reacts to the different positions her sisters and mother take on the issue. It isn’t until the end when she meets Rhonda that you see her start to realize that hair doesn’t make the person. You will always be the same person no matter what your hairstyle looks like and I think this is a good point to end the essay with....