“Class”

In this story, Edgar's braid at first represents a side of himself to which he is only superficially attached, i.e. his Indian identity. As he himself describes his relationship with his braid, there is a sense that it is important to him only in terms of what it can do for him professionally. This is a clear and potent contrast to how braids on Indian men are often representative of important, fundamental aspects of culture, spirituality, and identity. This is why it is particularly significant when, late in the narrative, Edgar's braid is cut off. The violently resentful Indian man who cuts it off seems to do so out of recognition and anger that Edgar is not really as connected to his Indian-ness as his braid suggests he is. In cutting off the braid, the Indian man is essentially telling Edgar to live the truth of himself, as "cut off" from who he really is.