Importance of hair

Hair symbolizes femininity and attraction. Suzette experiences significant body dysmorphia related to her disease, and she is always careful to prevent a conventionally feminine, polished appearance to the world. When Hanna cuts Suzette's hair while she is asleep, her daughter is consciously attempting to undermine this confident front, which she expects will also damage her mother and father’s relationship. When Suzette has her hair styled, it is “definitely shorter than she was used to. But it was still feminine, pretty-ish” (127), and Hanna is therefore disappointed.