Zitkala Sa, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was a Native American writer and activist who wrote about her experiences growing up on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. In her autobiographical essay "The Cutting of My Long Hair," she vividly describes the emotional turmoil she felt when her long hair, which held great cultural and personal significance, was forcibly cut by missionaries at her boarding school.

Anguished and Indignant:

Zitkala Sa's feelings when her long hair was cut can be best described as anguished and indignant. This can be observed through several key points in her essay:

1. Cultural Significance of Hair:
In Native American culture, hair holds great importance and is often seen as a symbol of strength, identity, and spiritual connection. Zitkala Sa's long hair represented her Native heritage and acted as a source of pride and identity for her. The act of cutting her hair was deeply symbolic and represented the erasure of her Native identity.

2. Violation of Autonomy:
The cutting of Zitkala Sa's hair was done without her consent, which further intensified her anguish. She describes how she was forcibly held down by several people while her hair was cut, leaving her feeling helpless and violated. The sense of powerlessness she experienced contributed to her feelings of anger and injustice.

3. Loss of Identity:
Zitkala Sa's long hair was not only a symbol of her Native heritage but also a personal expression of her individuality. The act of cutting her hair felt like a loss of her identity, as she was forced to conform to the Euro-American standards of appearance. This loss of autonomy and self-expression added to her feelings of anguish and indignation.

4. Emotional Turmoil:
Throughout her essay, Zitkala Sa vividly expresses the emotional turmoil she experienced during and after the cutting of her hair. She describes feeling a deep sense of grief and loss, as if a part of her had been taken away. She also mentions feeling anger and resentment towards the missionaries who enforced this act upon her.

In conclusion, Zitkala Sa's feelings when her long hair was cut were anguished and indignant. The cutting of her hair represented the erasure of her Native identity, violated her autonomy, and caused emotional turmoil. It is through her powerful storytelling that she conveys the depth of her emotions, allowing readers to empathize with her experience.