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Racism in The Bluest Eye
Racism in The Bluest Eye
Racism and sexism in the bluest eye
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In her novel The Bluest Eye, Morrison illustrates how ownership, class structures, and consumerism are interconnected and shape the characters' identities. Many characters define themselves by their material possessions, such as cars, consumer products, and property. However, Morrison also highlights the contradiction of class status among the characters, as beauty determines social stratification. The Fishers, a white family, are at the top of the class hierarchy, while Rosemary, who has Italian features but is classified as white, is on the same level as Frieda and Claudia. The opening scene of the novel depicts envy and competition among the characters, as they all want to be superior to one another. Morrison's commentary on consumerism and ownership is further explored in the works cited, including an interview with Morrison herself.
As Morrison gives an important point on the materialism and classism that Macon grew up adopting mentally to attain freedom which he raised Milkman to believe was to “...Own things. And let the things you own own other things. Then you’ll own yourself and other people too. Starting Monday, I’m going to teach you how” (Morrison 55). This idea of owning things and it leading to owning others and finding freedom through ownership of oneself is an important representation of the classicism through materialism that Morrison gives in the book. This hierarchal state of ownership of objects and people not only dehumanizes a person, but also the individual who strives for ownership as a means of freedom which is seen as Macon believes he has some level of freedom as he is the landlord who owns and has control of the money and land that many African American’s in the town that they are residents of. This discrimination because of material ownership and class difference can lead to racism among those of the same ethnicity and create a further divide and greater inhibition on others state of
Both the Younger family and the Johnson family are similar because both share their ambition in wanting to achieve the Black American Dream. However, only the Younger family is able to achieve it because they have goals, working adults, money, and support. They have the freedom to move into their new home in Clybourne Park, despite White supremacy, stereotype, and greed standing in the way. Unfortunately, despite meritocracy, not all Blacks have money and support to transcend themselves into upward mobility. The Johnson family is not able to achieve the Black American Dream because there is no goal set, only one working adult, and no money and support involved in their lives to offer them freedom. It is a lot harder to have upward mobility with no family support especially when society is against the individual. The Johnson family’s unsuccessful attempt to achieve the Black American Dream illustrates that it is not meant for all Blacks living in America. Perhaps it is impossible for all Blacks to excel in America because not all Blacks are privileged to have what other Blacks
Lawrence, L. (2007). Black Culture and Black Consciousness: Afro-American Folk Thought from Slavery to Freedom. London: Sage Publishers.
Barbara Morrison, an educated woman who grew up in a nuclear family home, their home included “[her] parents and children living in one household” (Moore& Asay, 2013). They lived in Roland Park in Baltimore Maryland. Living the “Average” lifestyle in her parents’ home she felt as if she were an outsider. Morrison decided to go to Western Maryland and pursue her collegiate education. She could not take the racism that went on in 1970 and decided to uproot her life for the better. Worcester, Massachusetts is where Morrison’s life would further take its course, she finally felt at home in this city. Morrison met her closest friend Jill who would also be an important benefactor in Barbra’s life; the first thing that she explained to Morrison was “The vast majority of people on welfare were white and lived in rural areas, not inner cities” (Morrison,2011).Morrison did not understand this until she was faced with the reality of poverty. In order to survive she needed to bring in resources, which are “anything identified to meet an existing or future need” (Moore& Asay, 2013).In Morrison’s case ...
In Beloved, Toni Morrison portrays the barbarity and cruelty of slavery. She emphasizes the African American’s desire for a new life as they try to escape their past while claiming their freedom and creating a sense of community. In Beloved, "Much of the characters’ pain occurs as they reconstruct themselves, their families, and their communities after the devastation of slavery" (Kubitschek 115). Throughout the novel, Morrison uses color to symbolically represent a life complete with happiness, freedom, and safety, as well as involvement in community and family. In many scenes, Morrison uses color to convey a character's desire for such a life; while, in other instances, Morrison utilizes color to illustrate the satisfaction and fulfillment, which the characters experience once they achieve this life.
Wyatt, Jean. “Body to the Word: The Maternal Symbolic in Toni Morrison’s Beloved.” PMLA, Vol. 108, No.3 (May, 1993): 474-488. JSTOR. Web. 27. Oct. 2015.
Thomas, Deborah A. "Modern Blackness: "What We Are and What We Hope to Be"." Small
Barkley, Russel A. Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents. New York: The Gilford Press, 2000.
The treatment of ADHD includes medication and counseling. The main drugs that are prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They include Methylphenidate and Dextroamphetamine-ampthe...
Clinic, Mayo. Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Children. 1998-2013. Document. 29 November 2013.
Director Lawrence Kasdan's film Grand Canyon is centered around the lives of a few Los Angeles residents. Some of the individuals that are presented in the film belong in distinct social class in regard to each other. For instance, Mack is an upper-middle class lawyer; meanwhile, Simon is high-prole tow-truck driver. Fussell explains in his non-fiction text Class that there are many important elements that need to be taken into consideration when assigning a person to a social class. The elements that need to be taken into consideration include clothing, occupation and profession. Undoubtedly, Mark and Simon are a perfect example that reinforces the idea that their respective class standing can be accurately determined by these three
Lubiano, Wahneema. "Morrison, Toni (1931– )." African American Writers. Ed. Valerie Smith. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2001. 581-597. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
Violence appears in many different shapes and forms and in some cases; it is hard to escape violence. As unfortunate as it sounds, everywhere we turn, all around the world, there is a footprint of violence in our society, in our workplace and in our home. There are many homes where parents beat each other and beat their children. There are many places where people are verbally and physically abused by others. There are also many places where racism reigns and people are hurt and violated because of their skin color, religion or gender. In The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, the author does not only talk about violence, she also shows us how a person confuses love with violence.
Smith, Barbara. "Toward a Black Feminist Criticism." JSTOR. University of Illinois Press, Mar. 1978. Web. 27 Aug. 2013.