Memories of Childhood is Chapter 6 in the Class 12 English Vistas textbook by NCERT. What makes this chapter special is that it’s not a single story—it’s made up of two autobiographical excerpts written by two women, Zitkala-Sa and Bama. Both narrate incidents from their early lives that reflect the discrimination they faced because of their identity. While Zitkala-Sa was a Native American who suffered cultural oppression, Bama grew up as a Dalit in South India, dealing with caste-based discrimination. These two stories are placed together in the chapter to show that such issues exist in many parts of the world.
I decided to write about this chapter because it’s different from the others in the book. It’s not fiction, but a real account of how young children feel when they are treated unfairly just because of their background. When I first read Bama’s story, I couldn’t stop thinking about how common such behaviour still is in many Indian towns. These stories make us more aware and sensitive. As students, we need to understand not just grammar and vocabulary but also social realities. This chapter is an important step towards building that understanding.
What is “Memories of Childhood” About?
This chapter includes two short autobiographical narratives that focus on childhood memories shaped by discrimination and injustice.
Part One: The Cutting of My Long Hair by Zitkala-Sa
This section is written by a Native American woman who was taken to a missionary school where they tried to make her behave like a “white” child. She describes how humiliating it was when her long hair was forcibly cut, which in her culture was a sign of defeat. She feels powerless, angry, and alien in a place that tries to erase her identity.
Part Two: We Too Are Human Beings by Bama
Bama’s story takes place in a village in Tamil Nadu. She is a young Dalit girl who notices how upper-caste people treat her community with disrespect. She sees a man carrying food for his master without touching it, just because of his caste. When she narrates this incident to her brother, he tells her about caste discrimination and advises her to study hard to earn respect and equality.
Main Characters:
- Zitkala-Sa – A Native American girl forced to give up her culture at a white-run school
- Bama – A young Dalit girl who slowly becomes aware of social injustice
Key Themes:
- Discrimination based on race and caste
- Childhood trauma and awareness
- Loss of identity
- Education as a tool for change
Why This Chapter Matters for Students
- Real stories: It helps students connect emotionally to real-life problems faced by children
- Relevant to society: Topics like caste and cultural identity are still important in today’s India
- CBSE exam favourite: Frequently asked in long and value-based questions
- Builds empathy: Helps students look beyond textbooks and understand people around them better
- Teaches resilience: Both writers turned their pain into power through education and awareness
Download PDF
You can download the official NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6 PDF from here:
NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6: Memories of Childhood
