Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Toni Morrison's novel "The Bluest Eye" illuminates a culture in which beauty is seen as having fair complexion thus leaving darker people to be viewed as inferior and sometimes inhuman. The author points out that it is a common belief among Morrison's characters that external beauty is valuable because it inspires beautiful and compassionate behavior in others. Such misguided beliefs lead several characters in the novel to be negligent toward themselves and others. The paper relates that varying results transpire from the inabilities of Pecola, Maureen, and Geraldine to each individually recognize the unfairness of the cultural biases in which they are immersed.

From the Paper:

"Maureen Peale also allows herself to submit to the biases of her culture; in her case, however, Maureen is one who benefits from the discrimination that takes place. Morrison describes Maureen as a fair-skinned colored girl with light eyes. Though not necessarily a beautiful girl, her complexion is praised by the children at school. The boys do not want to fight in front of her, and the girls somewhat fear her power. Morrison writes about an incident in which Maureen argues with Claudia and Frieda. Claudia accuses Maureen of being boy-crazy, and in her defense Maureen snaps, "I am cute! And you ugly! Black and ugly"."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. New York: Penguin Group, 1994
• Kulkarni, Harihar. "Mirrors, Reflections, and Images: Malady of Generational Relationship and Girlhood in Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye." Indian Journal of American Studies 23.2 (1993): 1-6.

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