| The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison, tells the story of a girl named Pecola. Pecola is an eleven year old who is basically described as poor, black, and ugly. Through Pecola's characterization, Toni Morrison is able to illustrate issues of race, class, and gender and the effects that thesse issues can have upon a society.
The story is narrated by a friend of Pecola, Claudia, who divulges to the reader her hatred of the white beauty standard. Claudia does not understand why she and her black friends should adore the "Shirley Temples" of the world. Although they live in a black neighborhood, the girls are given white dolls with blonde hair and blue eyes as Christamas presents. However, Pecola does not have the same feelings as Claudia. Pecola idolizes the idea of having blue eyes that she believes are the ultimate representation of beauty. When Pecola is left alone with her father, Cholly, she is raped by him and later she finds that she is pregnant. As the other people in the town begin to hear of Pecola's rape, they ignore Pecola and she is forced to the outskirts of town. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book? - depressed Time/era of story - 1930's-1950's Kids growing up/acting up? Yes Ethnic/Regional/Religion Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Ethnic/regional/gender life Yes Parents/lack of parents problem? Woman's story? Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - a kid Ethnicity/Nationality Unusual characteristics: Main Adversary Identity: - society Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 () Small town? Yes Small town people: - very gullible, like Gomer Pyle Writing Style Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - touching of anatomy - impregnation/reproduction - actual description of hetero sex - rape/molest Amount of dialog - significantly more descript than dialog |
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