Literary Critique of “The Bluest Eye”

In, “The Bluest Eye,” written by Toni Morrison, the author elaborates on the following African – American themes: ugliness, black racial prejudice, importance of spirituality in enduring lives of hardship,
African Medicine, spirituality, and incest. The theme of this book describes: racism against blacks, discrimination based on skin color, and black society’s intolerance to the taboos of incest.

The story involves the following characters: Frieda and Claudia who were sisters, Mrs. MacTeer, was the girl’s mother. Next, Pecola Breedlove, the central character, whose wish and prayer for blue eyes was granted. Soaphead Church was a West Indian with light brown skin. He was a, “Reader, Adviser, and Interpreter of Dreams.”

Pecola Breedlove was called ugly by her teachers and classmates alike. As a result she developed an inferiority complex. To gain respect and acceptance, she prayed and wished for big pretty blue eyes. After Pecola received her blue eyes Claudia and Frieda accepted her with admiration. To black society blue eyes were symbols of beauty. Pecola’s possession of blue eyes converted her from ugly to beautiful. Soaphead Church told Pecola , if the dog outside of his apartment dies after eating poison, then she will get her blue eyes in two days. Next, he said, if the dog lives after eating the poison, then her wish for blue eyes would be denied. Finally he said, for her wish to become a reality it must be God’s Will. After two days, her prayers and wishes for blue eyes was granted. She got her blue eyes.

After a few days, Pecola was sexually assaulted when her father – Cholly, had incestuous relations with her. Frieda and Claudia heard the news that Pecola was pregnant from Cholly when they were selling flower seeds in a neighbor’s home. Frieda and Claudia performed an act of faith with the hope that the baby would survive. This act proceeded according to the following stages: (1) a prayer for the baby, (2) planting flower seeds behind their house, (3) burying the flower seed money near Pecola’s house. The flower seeds did not bloom, and the baby died. In the end, Claudia and Frieda permanently sever their friendship with Pecola. They severed their relationship with Pecola, since incest is regarded as a taboo to black society. In addition, the black community discriminates against incest in black society.

Written by Jeffrey P. Kidd