Bluest Eye Gender

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Recommended: How did toni morrison explore race and beauty in the bluest eye

Toni Morrison’s Bluest Eye follows the narrative of Pecola Breedlove, a young black girl who wishes for beauty. “Mocked by others for the dark skin, brown eyes that set her apart, she yearns for blonde hair and blue eyes that she believes will finally let her fit in”(Morrison, Forward). Through the narrative her dream grows more severe her life changes and she slowly dwells in to madness. Which brings up powerful questions such as How is beauty constructed by society? Is it the same for all genders. Toni Morrison changes the perspective of the reader on how beauty is constructed by society using the narrative of the bluest eye. Throughout the narrative of the bluest eye, the use of dolls and role models is used to emphasize …show more content…

Beauty is constructed by society through the majority.For example in pocalas universe white is the the most dominant skin tone and majority celebrates whiteness,blonde hair and bright blue eyes, in many ways this is all true in many other society where the majority governs the societal norms.”Frieda and she had a long conversation on how cute shirley temple was, i couldn't join them in their adoration because i hated shirley”(Morrison 35) (All the world had agreed Blue eyes, yellow hair and bright pink skin was what every girl treasured )in another world Pecola's dark skin, curly hair and brown eyes is appreciated and is considered the social norm for prettiness. Toni morrison tries to change are perspective by giving us background story of each character that does wrong to pecola. One such character Cholly Breedlove is Humiliated by white men which leads to his down spiral of hatred against women, neglection of his children, alcoholism and his death. His rape of Pecola can't be justified, but his background is a reflection of racist america which instilled in him worthlessness “ The Breedloves did not live in a storefront because they were having temporary difficulty adjusting to the

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