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The Bluest Eye Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Bluest Eye


    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.
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    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.
The review of this Book prepared by Paris Scott




The Bluest Eye is the story of Pecola Breedlove. Pecola is eleven years old growing up in Ohio. The story discusses the hardship of being black and poor. There are references to rape and sexuality. Pecola wishes that she could have blue eyes like the pretty white girls. Unfornately, Pecola will found that there may be somethings that aren't worth wishing for. This book won the Nobel Prize in LIterature.
The review of this Book prepared by Kristy Pastore



Chapter Analysis of The Bluest Eye

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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    -   Black people in America/Europe Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Ethnic/regional/gender life    -   Yes Parents/lack of parents problem?    -   molestation - unpleasant gift from daddy Woman's story?    -   Yes

Main Character

Gender    -   Female Profession/status:    -   student Age:    -   a kid Ethnicity/Nationality    -   Black (American) Unusual characteristics:    -   Super sensitive soggy jelly muffin

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   3 () United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Midwest Small town?    -   Yes Small town people:    -   very gullible, like Gomer Pyle

Writing Style

Sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references only    -   touching of anatomy    -   impregnation/reproduction    -   actual description of hetero sex    -   rape/molest Amount of dialog    -   significantly more descript than dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like The Bluest Eye

Toni Morrison Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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