Literary Elements Of Pecola

Throughout pages 45-50, the author uses the literary element of conflict to further develop Pecola's character as well as to increase the understanding of the environment. Within the pages 45-50, a continuous dilemma that is depicted is a conflict amongst Pecola and her identity. As stated on page 45 " She had long ago given up the idea of running away to see new pictures, new faces...As long as she looked the way she did, as long as she was ugly, she would have to stay with these people.Long hours she sat looking in the mirror, trying to discover the secret of the ugliness." Evidently, it can be noted that Pecola had loathed her appearance and yearned for liberation from her family. She considered herself repulsive, and from her constant

contempt for her appearance, she continued to discover alternatives to cope with her inner hatred through what remained as her innocence. As the author also mentions " Each pale wrapper has a picture of it...The eyes are petulant, mischievous. To Pecola they are simply pretty. She eats the candy and its sweetness is good. To eat the candy is somehow to eat the eyes, eat Mary Jane. Love Mary Jane. Be Mary Jane. Three pennies had brought her nine lovely orgasms with Mary Jane.” A remedy to mediating this contempt is through affordable confectioneries, Mary Jane, which reassures her existence and provides a haven of solace. She finds satisfaction and security while she eats Mary Jane, and comes to escape her world of exclusion and discrimination.
The use of conflict also has an effect on the reader’s understanding of the environment and ultimately, Pecola. As said on page 46, “If she looked different, beautiful, maybe Cholly would be different, and Mrs. Breedlove too. Maybe they’d say, ‘Why, look at pretty eyed Pecola. We mustn’t do bad things in front of those pretty eyes.” It can be concluded that as a result of the constant domestic abuse among the Breedloves, as it was at the beginning of page 40, Pecola was exposed to such household violence and blamed her neglection onto her “revolting” appearance. It can be concluded that as a result of the constant domestic abuse among the Breedloves, as it was introduced at the beginning of page 40, Pecola was exposed to such household violence and blamed her neglection onto her revolting appearance. Consequently, the domestic violence between her parents would have psychological effects on Pecola and would also increase her longing for the bluest eyes. Conflict within her school, primarily the discrimination enacted onto her by her classmates and teachers, also promotes a greater comprehension of Pecola's environment. As the author states "Her teachers had always treated her this way. They tried never to glance at her and called on her only when everyone was required to respond. She also knew that when one of the girls at school wanted to be particularly insulting to a boy...she could say ' Bobby loves Pecola Breedlove,' and never fail to get peals of laughter from those in earshot." Through the exclusion and discrimination among her peers and teachers, one can infer the detrimental effects of consistently being used as an insult as well as from being disregarded. One can also infer that Pecola's learning environment would not only hinder Pecola's character development but would also increase the self-hate she has for herself.