Marginalized Society in the Bluest Eye
[REDACTED]
3/19/2013
[REDACTED]
Marginalized Society in The Bluest Eye
Within any sort of organized group, division is inevitable. Throughout history, civilizations have felt the need to distinguish between rich and poor, Pagans and Christians, black and white. Society takes these labels further and uses them to define people, as individuals and as smaller subgroups. Through these labels, society separates people based on preconceived notions, automatically coloring its perception of them. In this way, it molds its inhabitants just as much as its inhabitants mold society itself. Society is divided by what is considered acceptable and what is not, adapting to these concepts. As seen in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, every individual is somehow swayed by the norm, often through their attempts to join the majority. Because we view ourselves in relation to those around us, the influences of society are impossible to escape, especially when one is on the side less favored. The clear disparity between one group and another has been clearly demonstrated throughout history. The Bluest Eye takes place in a period of great civil injustice and inequality for African Americans. It becomes obvious which side of society’s line of acceptance this group falls under: African Americans are, as Claudia puts it, a “minority in both caste and class” (17) due to the color of their skin. This demonstrates society’s alienation of that which is unfamiliar, or does not meet its standards. More specifically within the novel, Pecola and the Breedloves exemplify this. They are considered inferior on every level—they are black, low-class, and lacking in confidence. Even among fellow African Americans, they are looked down upon. These traits make it obvious that they are not what society would deem perfect or ideal. All of these factors combined make them vulnerable to society’s judgments; they are susceptible to the pressure to try to conform. They are aware of themselves in
3/19/2013
[REDACTED]
Marginalized Society in The Bluest Eye
Within any sort of organized group, division is inevitable. Throughout history, civilizations have felt the need to distinguish between rich and poor, Pagans and Christians, black and white. Society takes these labels further and uses them to define people, as individuals and as smaller subgroups. Through these labels, society separates people based on preconceived notions, automatically coloring its perception of them. In this way, it molds its inhabitants just as much as its inhabitants mold society itself. Society is divided by what is considered acceptable and what is not, adapting to these concepts. As seen in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, every individual is somehow swayed by the norm, often through their attempts to join the majority. Because we view ourselves in relation to those around us, the influences of society are impossible to escape, especially when one is on the side less favored. The clear disparity between one group and another has been clearly demonstrated throughout history. The Bluest Eye takes place in a period of great civil injustice and inequality for African Americans. It becomes obvious which side of society’s line of acceptance this group falls under: African Americans are, as Claudia puts it, a “minority in both caste and class” (17) due to the color of their skin. This demonstrates society’s alienation of that which is unfamiliar, or does not meet its standards. More specifically within the novel, Pecola and the Breedloves exemplify this. They are considered inferior on every level—they are black, low-class, and lacking in confidence. Even among fellow African Americans, they are looked down upon. These traits make it obvious that they are not what society would deem perfect or ideal. All of these factors combined make them vulnerable to society’s judgments; they are susceptible to the pressure to try to conform. They are aware of themselves in