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The Bluest Eye
206 pages, 2007
The New York Times bestselling novel by the Nobel Prize-winning author of Beloved and Sula. An unforgettable story about a young girl, her struggle for self-worth, and her quest for beauty in a world plagued by racism and misogyny. Pecola Breedlove prays each day for beauty. She is an 11-year-old black girl who longs to be white. Her family life is difficult, as her parents are constantly fighting a losing battle against poverty, alcoholism and boredom. Pecola lives with her mother and father in Lorain, Ohio in 1940, during World War II when America's cities were being bombed by the Japanese, when lynchings of blacks took place regularly in Southern states like Mississippi and Georgia. In desperate loneliness she becomes obsessed with the image of Shirley Temple, a symbol of innocence and purity which she equates with beauty. Her longing for physical traits that are considered beautiful by society leads Pecola down a path from childlike wonder to madness and death (summary from amazon).
In The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison explores the damaging effects of societal beauty standards. The main character, Pecola, believes that she is ugly because she doesn't fit into these standards. This book encourages us to question and challenge the beauty norms that society imposes.
Morrison's book teaches us the importance of self-love and acceptance. Pecola's journey shows us how crucial it is to love ourselves, regardless of how others see us. It's a powerful reminder to find beauty within ourselves.
The Bluest Eye digs deep into the issue of racism and its psychological effects. The characters in the book, especially Pecola, suffer from internalized racism, which affects their self-esteem and identity. This book encourages us to confront and address racial prejudices.
The book explores the cycle of abuse and how it can be passed down through generations. It shows how victims of abuse can become abusers themselves, as seen in the character of Cholly. It's a call to break this cycle and seek healing.
In The Bluest Eye, we see the importance of community support in overcoming adversity. The lack of support Pecola receives from her community contributes to her downfall. This book encourages us to be more empathetic and supportive of those around us.
Quotes 5
The Bluest Eye was a revelation for me. It was the first time I ever read a book that validated my own existence.
Oprah Winfrey - TV host, philanthropistThe Bluest Eye is a novel that makes me weep for our human tendency to be cruel when we should be kind.
Maya Angelou - Poet, civil rights activistThe Bluest Eye is a deeply moving work, exploring themes of racial self-loathing with an unflinching honesty.
Margaret Atwood - Novelist, poetThe Bluest Eye is a novel of such power and beauty. It's a masterclass in storytelling.
Zadie Smith - Novelist, essayistThe Bluest Eye is a novel that is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking. It's a must-read for anyone who cares about literature and humanity.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Novelist, feminist
