# Bernice — Short Fiction character guide

> Bernice in Short Fiction by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Cousin Bernice

**First appearance:** 0035-bernice-bobs-her-hair

## Snapshot

Marjorie's visiting cousin, dull and grave until a borrowed line of Wilde and a bobbed haircut turn her into the season's unlikely sensation.

## Who they are

Bernice arrives in town as the plain, moral cousin whose gravity makes Marjorie's set yawn, then quietly absorbs her cousin's coaching and begins cutting in on dances that once belonged to Marjorie alone. She delivers Oscar Wilde as her own wit and asks Charley Paulson for his opinion of people, thrilling him into overturning her water. Warren McIntyre, watching from the stag line, notices she looks as if she is actually having a good time — the one thing no woman can counterfeit — and the balance of the town shifts.

## Relationships

### [Warren McIntyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters/warren_mcintyre)

_romantic_

Bernice is pursued by Warren, but the relationship is superficial and driven by social games and manipulation.

### [Warren McIntyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters/warren_mcintyre)

_romantic_

Bernice is pursued by Warren, but the relationship is superficial and driven by social games and manipulation.

### [Warren McIntyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters/warren_mcintyre)

_romantic_

Bernice is pursued by Warren, but the relationship is superficial and driven by social games and manipulation.

## In the story

### [Bernice Bobs Her Hair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/bernice-bobs-her-hair)

The protagonist, a shy visitor from Eau Claire who transforms under her cousin's guidance.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i)

Marjorie's cousin from Eau Claire; considered dull and awkward by Warren, and reacts with embarrassment to his flirtatious remark.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii)

Overhears Marjorie's criticism of her social ineptitude; feels insecure about her lack of popularity.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii)

Confronts Marjorie about overheard criticism, struggles with self-doubt, and reluctantly agrees to follow Marjorie's advice.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv)

Bernice successfully uses Marjorie's coaching to attract attention at the dance, but begins to feel a rebellious sense of her own agency.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v)

Bernice is the central figure in this chapter, who succumbs to social pressure and has her hair bobbed, leading to a temporary rise in popularity followed by a harsh confrontation with Marjorie.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi)

Bernice bobs her hair, faces family disapproval, and ultimately retaliates by cutting off Marjorie's braids before fleeing.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters/bernice
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters