"Impressions of an Indian Childhood" and "The School Days of an Indian Girl," two of Zitkala-Sa's autobiographical works, offer insights into her cultural background both before and after her exposure to missionaries. Zitkala-Sa's writings after being sent to a missionary-run boarding school, capture the deep cultural contradiction she went through. She talks about the difficulties she had assimilating, losing her language and cultural identity, and feeling cut off from her roots. The severe discipline forced religious conversion, and suppression of Native American practices are depicted in scenes that highlight the significant influence of her exposure to Western education. Zitkala-Sa's account of her haircutting experience at the boarding
