The significance of cut hair as sign of mourning in Sherman Alexie’s short film Smoke Signals is divulged through Victor and Arnold as they experience what the true meaning of loss is. In the first scene Arnold Joseph saves Thomas from the house fire and soon after cuts his hair, which may be perceived by viewers as a sign of lamentation. Thomas confirms this by saying, “After that fire, Arnold Joseph mourned by cutting his hair, and he never grew it long again”. It is later revealed to the audience that when Arnold states at the beginning of the film that he “didn’t mean to”, he was referring to the fact that he had started the fire that killed Thomas’ parents, thus resulting in the loss of his hair. Victor also unveils the meaning of hair
