Introduction
The issues of racism and beauty are approached in many ways in the novel by Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye. The book provides a realistic account of the racial issues that were crucial in the 1970s when it was published. Even though these issues are less prevalent in modern culture, people find the book compelling. Morrison composed this piece when she was 39 years old, and it differs from her earlier works in that it lacks a tightly plotted narrative. By critically analyzing the novel’s plot and its characters, the essay will illustrate that Morrison deliberately chose to have a toddler as the protagonist to highlight the terrible effects racism can have on young children.
Theme Analysis
Before reading the novel, it is evident that racism and beauty are central themes, as demonstrated by the title, “The Bluest Eye.” During the novel’s publication, individuals with blue eyes and blonde hair were commonly viewed as the epitome of perfection. Those who did not possess these physical characteristics were often deemed unattractive. Even popular dolls such as Betsy Wetsy or Barbie dolls featured large, rounded, deep blue eyes, further perpetuating the idealized portrayal of beauty.
Pecola, a young black girl who longs for blue eyes as a sign of beauty and acceptability in a culture that prizes whiteness, is at the center of the novel’s plot. Pecola experiences numerous sorts of racial abuse and discrimination throughout the book, including sexual assault by her father. Pecola is profoundly affected by these events, and she eventually turns insane as a result.
The main character, a little child named Claudia, presents a different viewpoint on the impacts of racism while also acting as a witness to Pecola’s experiences. Claudia learns about the damaging effects of prejudice on people and communities as she watches the happenings around her. This is clear from the novel’s quotation from Claudia, who considers the effects of racism:
“We were so beautiful when we stood astride her ugliness. Her simplicity decorated us; her guilt sanctified us; her pain made us glow with health, and her awkwardness made us think we had a sense of humor. Her inarticulateness made us believe we were eloquent. Her poverty kept us generous. Even her waking dreams we used—to silence our nightmares” (Morrison 205).
This passage demonstrates how, despite her youth, Claudia is already aware of how racism skews one’s judgment of beauty and worth. The narrator, Claudia, and other girls in the story look up to these unrealistic standards and envy those who possess them. Claudia expressed her disdain towards the dolls with artificial blue eyes and even destroyed white baby dolls.
The Bluest Eye by Morrison explores the complexity of racism and its effects on society. The novel emphasizes how society perceives beauty and the connection between beauty and race. Morrison examines the idea of internalized racism through the persona of Pecola, showing how it can become so ingrained that it affects a person’s self-perception. The author emphasizes these subjects’ importance and gravity through symbolism, imagery, and language. The novel’s characters also emphasize the damaging effects of prejudice on young children.
For instance, Frieda, Claudia’s sister, wishes she had blue eyes like Pecola. This desire is a manifestation of the internalized racism that permeates their community rather than being motivated by a genuine yearning for blue eyes. According to Morrison, “Adults, older girls, shops, magazines, newspapers, window signs—all the world had agreed that a blue-eyed, yellow-haired, pink-skinned doll was what every girl child treasured” (Morrison 19). Morrison illustrates how even young children can accept racist attitudes and start to consider themselves inferior by using characters like Frieda.
Character and Narrator Analysis
Readers will immediately notice in “The Bluest Eye” that Pecola Breedlove, a ten-year-old girl, is the primary subject of the story. However, the truth is that Pecola could not have remained the book’s sole emphasis. In the middle of the book, the author tries to include the girl’s parents to back up her claims. Things are moving quickly, and it soon becomes clear that the girl’s parents have also been through some difficult times. For instance, Pecola’s mother had experienced loneliness and genuinely believed that only white people, which implied attractive people, were entitled to fervent love (Morrison 195). The mother of the main character frequently expresses her emotions by supporting her husband’s violent behavior.
Additionally, she works hard to clean the home that belonged to a white woman to escape from the actual world. However, the young girl’s father was left behind when he was a child. Additionally, he suffers from an emotional instability personality disorder. The readers learn later in the story that the main girl was sexually assaulted by her father and became pregnant as a result.
The author’s choice of who would serve as the finest narrator for “The Bluest Eye” is one of its many appealing qualities. The book’s narrator, Claudia MacTeer, is depicted by the author as a little child at first and then as an adult when the girl gets older—two viewpoints in a single story. Qixia’s analytical analysis of the novel also supports the claim that the choice of the narrator was not random. It is stated that “Claudia’s innocence is precisely what makes her the right narrator for this story. She is too young to be infected by the racism and self-hatred that pervade the town” (Qixia 740). To put it differently, the story’s narration and her witness of discrimination make the readers more sympathetic and compassionate to the characters.
Regarding “The Bluest Eye,” Pecola and Claudia’s perspectives are featured prominently on the final page. It’s critical to pay attention to how the novel’s various points of view are organized (Mankhia and Alhusseini 411). Mankhiaand Alhusseini states, “Through dialogue, they impart their message to readers even though they might have different and contrasted points of view. In The Bluest Eye, Morrison gives her novel a more realistic sense when she uses multiple voices and narrators who interact with one another to convey their life experiences” (415). They are intentionally written in this way to give readers a strong sense of the experiences that all the characters share and to make it easier for readers to put themselves in the characters’ situations.
It is noteworthy to underscore that the perceived beauty of blue eyes was not solely limited to children. This is exemplified by Mrs. Breedlove’s employment with the Fishers. The Fishers regarded her highly, as evidenced by her nickname and their trust in her to maintain their home’s cleanliness. Mrs. Breedlove’s compassion towards the young white girl during the incident of Pecola’s spilled blueberry pie further accentuates the emphasis on blue eyes’ beauty.
Pecola is portrayed as unappealing throughout the novel, primarily due to her consistently dejected demeanor. She seldom engaged in conversation with others and frequently exhibited a sad countenance. Only at the end of the book, when she believed she had been given blue eyes, did she feel pleased, however mad. Even if the idea of having “the bluest eyes” was absurd in and of itself, Pecola came to view it as the kind of accomplishment that gave her a sense of equality and social relevance. She wanted to be accepted by her family, friends, and neighbors even though they were the ones who persuaded Pecola of her ugly nature.
The character Maureen Peal is depicted as aesthetically pleasing due to her distinctiveness. She has long brown hair intricately braided into two strands resembling lynch ropes cascading down her back. Described as a “high-yellow dream child,” Maureen is portrayed as affluent, meeting or surpassing the standards of the wealthiest white females. Her opulent lifestyle provides her with a sense of comfort and protection. Notably, Maureen’s deliberate choice to don vibrant colors and adorn herself with luxurious fur jackets during winter introduces a fresh perspective to those around her.
Toni Morrison purposefully incorporates these motifs in “The Bluest Eye” to challenge the fallacious notions surrounding the blonde-haired, blue-eyed stereotype and to celebrate the inherent beauty found across diverse racial backgrounds. By weaving these themes into the narrative, Morrison seeks to convey a profound story that resonates with readers. In 1970, the novel portrayed the prevailing views on racism and beauty. While the current media landscape has shifted, a persistent standard of attractiveness emphasizes specific physical attributes over others (Nurhayati 385).
Specifically, a narrow range of body types is presented as ideal, with thinness and muscularity being highly valued. These standards are predominantly imposed on women, who are expected to have tall, slender bodies with long legs, while men are expected to be muscular and hairless. However, this standard of beauty is not universal, and it can vary across cultures and be influenced by historical and societal factors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Bluest Eye” is an exemplary work deserving attention for its adept utilization of eloquent and refined language, imbued with an air of approachability and warmth. Within the narrative, a prevailing undercurrent of melancholy permeates the lives of individuals grappling with the profound impact of deeply rooted racism and pervasive economic adversity.
Toni Morrison skillfully weaves the themes of racism and beauty throughout the novel’s fabric. Through her storytelling, Morrison endeavors to illuminate the multifaceted nature of these concepts, highlighting their subjective and fluid nature. By exposing the diverse perspectives and experiences surrounding racism and attractiveness, the author invites readers to examine critically and question prevailing societal norms and preconceived notions.
Furthermore, the language employed by Morrison captures the intricacies of the characters’ emotional landscapes and serves as a conduit for conveying the innate poignancy inherent in their circumstances. The narrative’s natural tragedy emanates from the inherent struggles faced by individuals living within the oppressive grip of racism and the profound socio-economic inequalities that exacerbate their plight.
In essence, “The Bluest Eye” is a testament to Morrison’s adept craftsmanship, as she deftly employs language to navigate the complex terrain of race and beauty. Through her narrative, she urges readers to interrogate and reevaluate the constructs and assumptions surrounding these themes, fostering a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of human experience in the face of systemic oppression and societal pressures.
Works Cited
Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. New York City: Vintage Books, 1970.
Qixia, L. U. “Loss of Self-identity—A Comparative Analysis of Everything I Never Told You and The Bluest Eyes.” Psychology, vol 12, no. 9, 2022, pp. 735-743. Web.
Mankhia, A., and H. Alhusseini. “Stylistic Analysis of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye: A Bakhtinian Reading.” International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, vol. 12, no. 4, 2020, pp. 409-422.
Nurhayati, Ari. “Intersecting oppression of gender and race in Toni Morrison’s the bluest eye and god help the child.” Litera, vol. 18, no. 3, 2019, pp. 379–394.
