The story told by Toni Morrison in "The Bluest Eye" is a collection of experiences of several different characters. Much like the Dick and Jane narrative at the beginning of the novel, these individual experiences seem to jump from topic to topic without much of an explanation. Also, the overall feel of the novel, like the beginning narrative, is disturbing as a whole. The purpose of the Dick and Jane reference at the beginning of the book is to foreshadow the tone of the story. Therefore, the question must be asked: What are the disturbing qualities of "The Bluest Eye"? While several things take place that can be considered disturbing to the reader, I believe that the difference in which whites and blacks are portrayed is most disturbing.
Throughout the novel, Morrison seems to place White America on a pedestal above all other races. For instance, many of the characters saw white as beautiful and black as ugly. A good example of this can be seen in the description of Maureen Peal, who was a light skinned African American girl new to school. "She enchanted the entire school...Black boys didn't trip her in the halls; white boys didn't stone her, white girls didn't suck their teeth when she was assigned to be their work partners; black girls stepped aside when she wanted to use the sink in the girls' toilet, and their eyes genuflected under sliding lids (62)." This description of Maureen almost depicts her as having as much respect as a white girl, during a time in which discrimination was rampant. Another instance in which white skin seems favorable is Pauline Breedlove's affectionate behavior towards the daughter of the white family in which she kept house (109). It also seems worth noting that having "white blood" in your family history is quite important. "He (Soaphead Church) had been reared in a family proud of its academic accomplishments and its mixed blood - in fact, they believed the former was based on the latter (167)." Over and over, Morrison seems to overemphasize white beauty while ignoring the beautiful qualities of African Americans. What message, if any, is she trying to send to the reader?
I believe that Morrison shows this dichotomy between blacks and whites in order to point out the absurdity of discrimination and racism. How can one race adore itself so much that it completely rejects all other standards of beauty? Morrison shows the reader what the world may look like if social injustices go unchecked. It is a strange world to us now, but might not have been during the time she wrote this book. The important message is this: take pride in your heritage and individuality. Find the beauty in yourself, others like you, and the world around you.
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I would say that you are right for the most part in commenting that white American culture is placed above all else. However, you forget that not everyone completely buys into this white is best mentality. Claudia, only a mere child, rejects this notion though not completely. This is best seen when the three girls are talking about Shirley Temple. Pecola and Freida are both obsessed with how cute she was. On the other hand, Clauida hates Shirley Temple. She didn’t see the beauty that both Pecola and Freida saw in this little white girl. This hatred is further explained when she recalls her destroying of a blue-eyed doll that she had received one Christmas. I don’t mean to say that Claudia totally rejects this notion of white supremacy. She wishes she had luxuries of being white as described with her jealousy of Rosemary or Maureen, for instance. But she does show signs that being white is not the ideal. Furthermore, this small example of this rejection is somewhat significant.
Is unjustice checked in our society today? Or is injustice still manifest only in diffent or more discreet forms? Such as bell hooks claims that we live in a society where everyone is convinced they can have it all, even though they can't (consumer culture/consumer capitalism).
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