"The Bluest Eye"--A Review

Paper Summary:

This paper gives a synopsis and analysis of Toni Morrison's novel entitled "The Bluest Eyes." The novel takes place in the town where Morrison grew up during the first half of the 20th century, when the area still brimmed with racism and social inequity. Although the book may have centered initially on the theme of incest, the reviewer sees it as tackling the social, economic and cultural issues of the time. The story is described as the journey of Pecola Breedlove into self-hatred and insanity which was caused by the misplaced standards of society. The reviewer concludes that Morrison's novel incorporates the theme of perception and how each of us has our own view of reality. The view of reality may be a result of what the media or what society dictates.

From the Paper:

"The book's story is set in the early 1940s - at the end of the Great Depression - and the MacTeer family lives in Lorain, Ohio (the same place where the author grew up). Nine-year-old Claudia and ten-year-old Frieda MacTeer live with their parents, who are more concerned with putting bread on the table rather than bestowing love and affection to the two young girls. There is an initial recollection by Claudia MacTeer about the year's events regarding the rape of her best friend Pecola Breedlove and the death of Pecola's baby. One glaring moment during that year which Claudia remembers is that no marigolds bloomed and she presumes that this was because of Pecola' father, Cholly Breedlove, rapes her, and it is fate bringing no growth to the marigolds."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Diamond, Lydia. "The Bluest Eye." Washington City Paper. 20 October 2006. 04 November 2006. <http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/theater/2006/theater1020.html?navCenterBot>.
• Jimoh, A. Yemisi, University of Arkansas. "The Bluest Eye - Toni Morrison (1970)." The Literary Encyclopedia. 11 September 2003. The Literary Dictionary Company. 04 November 2006. <http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=1425>.
• Marks, Peter. "'The Bluest Eye,' Staged With Vision Theater Alliance Shines In a Chilling Adaptation Of Toni Morrison's Novel." The Washington Post. 20 October 2006. 04 November 2006. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/19/AR2006101901680.html>.
• Melani, Lilia. "Toni Morrison: The Bluest Eye." Core Studies 6 - Landmarks in Literature. 01 September 2004. 04 November 2006. <
• Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. New York: Penguin Books, 1994.

More papers on "The Bluest Eye"--A Review:

• Book Review # 67487 : "The Bluest Eye" and Racism in America"
• Analytical Essay # 54955 : "Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye"
• Analytical Essay # 6367 : "The Bluest Eye"

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