"She was what we used to call a suicide blonde - dyed by her own hand"

Saul Bellow’s quip, “She was what we used to call a suicide blonde, dyed by her own hand,” uses sharp wit to characterize a woman who dyes her own hair rather than having it professionally colored. The term “suicide blonde” plays on the phrase “dyed by her own hand,” mimicking “died by her own hand”, a phrase commonly associated with someone who has taken their own life. Bellow twists the word “died” into “dyed,” referring to hair coloring, and the phrase subtly becomes both a joke and a social commentary.

Within its brevity, the statement packs multiple layers. On a superficial level, it’s an observation about vanity, resourcefulness, or perhaps thrift, this is someone who takes her appearance into her own hands, for better or worse. The use of “suicide blonde” can also suggest a certain recklessness or boldness in her decision, humorously implying that self-coloring one’s hair is a risky or even self-destructive act, since it might not turn out as intended. At its core, there’s a playful skepticism about appearances; the woman presents herself as a blonde, but the authenticity is undercut because the transformation is self-wrought, perhaps less convincing than a professionally maintained façade.

Social undertones may suggest themes of autonomy and self-definition. The subject refuses to rely on experts or follow norms, choosing instead to assert control over her image, despite potential pitfalls. Bellow’s language mixes admiration for her independence with a lightly mocking tone about the limitations of do-it-yourself beautification. By alluding to the trope of artificial beauty and the expectations placed on women, the quote draws attention to the ways in which identity, performance, and self-presentation intertwine, with a wink toward the hazards or absurdities of those efforts. The result is humor tinted with a deeper, sly observation of personality and social norms.