Bernice Bobs Her Hair Illustrated

"Bernice Bobs Her Hair" is a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, written in 1920 and first published in the Saturday Evening Post in May of that year. The story was illustrated by May Wilson Preston. The story appeared shortly thereafter on September 10, 1920, in Fitzgerald's anthology Flappers and Philosophers. The story was supported letters which a nineteen-year-old Fitzgerald sent to his fourteen-year-old sister Annabel. As she wished to form herself more socially appealing, he "attempted to refine her social skills, providing detailed instructions on popularity and improving her image." In 1915, Fitzgerald wrote her a voluminous 10-page letter which gave "advice on conversation, poise, carriage, dancing, expression, dress, and personality."Fitzgerald later used this letter for the idea of his 1919 story draft. the first text of the story was for much longer, but Fitzgerald cut nearly 3,000 words and altered the ending to form the story more attractive to publishers.Fitzgerald named the title character Bernice as a regard to Berenice II of Egypt. consistent with legend, Berenice sacrificed her most beloved possession-her tresses-to ensure victory in warfare. For this act, the gods bestowed upon her an excellent honor: They placed her tresses within the heavens because the constellation Coma Berenices .