Racism And Sexism In Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye

How does racism and sexism play a part in the novel, The Bluest Eye? Have you ever experienced or seen racism and/or sexism and you were not able to help make the situation better? Throughout the novel The Bluest Eye, the author, Toni Morrison takes us on a journey of an eleven-year-old girl named Pecola Breedlove whose love for blond hair and blue eyes affects how she perceives everyone around her. The novel takes place in Lorain, Ohio where Morrison grew up. Pecola wishes for blue eyes because she thinks that people will look at her and treat her better. Her family is very dysfunctional; her father drinks. Her mother is not affectionate and the two of them fight very often. Her older brother, Sammy, runs away. Instead of being loved and†¦show more content†¦Her mother finds her unconscious on the floor, Pauline does not believe Pecola’s story and beats her instead. Pecola ends up going to Soaphead Church, a fake West Indian sorcerer for blue eyes. Instead, he uses her to kill a dog he hates. Claudia and Frieda are Pecola’s friends who feel bad for her unlike the rest of the neighborhood when they find out her father impregnated her. They do many sacrifices over the summer believing that that’s what will help Pecola’s baby live. Their sacrifices go to waste when the baby is born and dies prematurely. Cholly rapes Pecola a second time, runs away, and dies in a workhouse. Pecola goes mad, believing her wish has been fulfilled and she has the bluest of blue eyes. Toni Morrison makes sure to include different types of black beauty in the novel, such as Peola who is a poor dark skin girl with a big nose, big lips and unattractive features. On the other hand there is Maureen, a wealthy light skinned girl who is adored by everyone, but is sometimes snobby and mean. This shows how beauty is related to wealth, in the sense that people who are lighter skinned are more likely to get better jobs and live more prosperous lives, whereas darker skinned people are not given similar opportunities for a better life. Claudia and Frieda are strong-minded, independent and stubborn girls who rebel against the societal norms of light or white skin equalling superiority in beauty. Pauline believes that she’s ugly becauseShow MoreRelatedRacism By Toni Morrison Analysis982 Words   |  4 PagesThe noble laureate winning author Toni Morrison comments that â€Å"racism hurts in a very personal way† (Bouson 103). This might be a hint towards the long term generational consequences that racism causes. Having the entire future generation jeopardized by the concept of racism is indeed a pain that will hurt anyone who has love for his/her community. 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