– its based on the book “the bluest eye” by toni morrison – there has to be two

– its based on the book “the bluest eye” by toni morrison
– there has to be two quotes from the text in each paragraoh, 3 literary elements but the essay can’t be organized by literary element
RUBRIC: Performance Indicators
Exceeds – 4
Thesis/Claim
I can craft an argument that communicates specific significance by answering “How?” “Why” or “So What?”
Senior Honors English
Whittemore
The Bluest Eye
Final Essay
Directions: After reading and analyzing Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, I would like you to answer one of the essential questions created at the beginning of the unit, or if you would prefer, you can create a new essential question and answer that in your essay.
However you choose to answer your selected essential question, the paper must unpack one of the major themes that we identified as a class using at least two literary elements that we have been working with in this unit in a five paragraph essay.
Below are materials for your reference:
Emerging and Developing Themes
Literary Analysis Skills:
Point Of View Narration
Characterization (names, subtle thoughts and actions)
Symbolism
Geography
Seasons
Illness/heart disease
Your dialectical journals
Your google slide decks
Your essay must include the following:
typed, 12 pt academic font, double spaced, 4-6 pages in length
a title which reflects the subject of your essay and not simply the title of the novel.
an introductory paragraph which clearly outlines what you will be attempting to show in the essay.
A complex claim in the introduction.
at least six fully developed examples from the novel(at least three total body paragraphs).
When you quote directly from the novel please give page references in parentheses following the quotes.
Make sure that you fully explain the significance of any quote that you use using your literary analysis skills.
a concluding paragraph which synthesizes the main points of your essay and gives meaning to the work as a whole.

Has a clear, compelling argument that is debatable and coherent
Claim runs throughout paper
I can craft an argument that communicates specific significance by answering “How?” “Why” or “So What?”
Develops argument logically and persuasively
Evidence
I can point to an implicit, nuanced, and sophisticated understanding of what I have read, picking up on big ideas and subtle nuances.
Uses relevant, convincing evidence and quotations that thoroughly support argument
Elaboration
I can analyze the author’s language, craft, and/or choice of genre, identifying how the author’s use of craft develops and enhances the meaning of the claim.
Elaborates on central argument and meaning of supporting evidence; answers question, So what?
Transitions
I can produce clear and organized writing that develops a complex idea/set of ideas over the course of my paper that is appropriate for the task, purpose, and audience
Makes explicit and elegant transitions from one idea to next
Argument Building and Connection
I can produce clear and organized writing that develops a complex idea/set of ideas over the course of my paper that is appropriate for the task, purpose, and audience
Argument is structured where one idea builds on the previous ideas and connects to the claim in an insightful way
Analysis
I can qualify or justify my own views and understanding.
Provides deep insight and creates meaningful interpretation of texts
Analysis and Authorial Craft
I can analyze the author’s language, craft, and/or choice of genre, identifying how the author’s use of craft develops and enhances the meaning of the claim.
Considers author’s language, craft, and/or choice of genre and identifies how the author’s use of craft develops and enhances the meaning of the claim
Analysis of Literary Elements
I can consider the literary elements employed in the text in my writing.
Analysis drives discussion of literary elements
Citations, Grammar
I can produce clear and organized writing that develops a complex idea/set of ideas over the course of my paper that is appropriate for the task, purpose, and audience
Mechanical and grammatical errors are rare or non-existent; follows accepted conventions of quotations and citations; uses transitions effectively
Emerging and Developing Themes
The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
Secrets, Silence, and Shame:
There is a theme of secrets and taboo in this novel. A suggestion of talking about what is perceived as deeply shameful in this society.
Theme of silence and shame needing words, needing its time in the limelight.
Morrison uses incest to suggest that unnatural acts and the silence around them lead to a stoppage of growth. Morrison is also suggesting that racism and sexism are unnatural as well and also lead to a stoppage of growth.
Racism, Beauty, and Power in America:
Morrison exposes the racist hierarchies in America, specifically through the lens of beauty and the power white European beauty standards and its impacts on the psyche of young girls and women.
Morrison has Claudia narrate that there was a “desirability” for those white physical features to introduce us to the themes of beauty standards and self-hatred/internalized racism.
Morrison uses Claudia to introduce the rejection of social norms/beauty standards, internalized racism and the devastating consequences it has (either resulting in self-hatred or hatred for others).
Societal ideals of beauty teach young children who do not fit those standards self-loathing from a very young age.
Morrison is introducing the idea that media and culture can drastically affect the self perception of those exposed to it.
Morrison is suggesting that internalized racism has devastating consequences either resulting in self-hatred or hatred for others.
The confusion, fear, and shame that surrounds the transition to womanhood / adulthood, maturation, coming of age. The loss of “purity” “innocence”
Morrison highlights the damaging dynamics created by colorism through her characters.
The Impacts of Racism on a Child’s Self Concept:
The main idea Morrison wants the reader to take away is that bigotry is repugnant and cruel and that racism has a lot of nuanced impacts on in American society.
Kids aren’t born with racism, it’s something that they’re taught. (Claudia grew up believing that blue eyes and blonde hair are ideal characteristics because white people tend to have them and there’s a notion that white people are superior therefore everything about them is perfect.)
The theme of seeing – Pecola believes that she is seeing horrible things due to the way she looks. Pecola’s logic is that if she has beautiful eyes then she will only see beautiful things.
Themes of Anger and Shame:
Anger and shame are two emotions that Morrison uses with her characters to reveal the impacts of racism in American society on black people.
Anger is used to escape the terror of losing family.
Morrison suggests that in some ways, pain can be productive despite the hardship when one has love to see them through it.
Themes of Family:
Morrison introduces a theme of the tension between those who have and those who have not through possessions or the ownership of property.
Family and our experiences in life are more important than objects, and we need to appreciate what we have rather than long for new desires.
Communication between children and adults in family relationships can free their children or confine them.
Themes of Love
Morrison suggests that love is a necessary emotion in every person’s life and without it people’s self concepts can become focused on the attainment of love and connection at any cost.
Themes of Slavery’s Impact on Black Identity in America
Morrison is exposing the internal damage of slavery and being black in a white-dominated culture who perpetuate the ideology of white power and white supremacy regardless of emancipation.
Themes of Class and the Impacts of Poverty
Racism and social divides and prevents those in poverty from reaching what they desire; fitting in and gaining approval from those in higher classes.
Morrison uses the different perspectives of multiple characters in order to illustrate how poverty negatively impacts the psyches and conception of wealth in African American women.
Morrison uses the juxtaposition between geography and imagery between white and black homes in order to suggest that oppression is a lot more deeply rooted than the passage of laws can fix.
Morrison uses setting and characterization to show how wealth inequality and racial tensions can lead to jealousy and can be a gateway to even more wealth tensions. When all the wealth is owned by white men it makes everyone else resent them and causes tensions to increase
Themes of Sex and Sexuality
Morrison uses alternating POVs along with the symbolism of periods to highlight that black women often have sexuality thrust upon them from a young age, both physically and emotionally. This results in sex being associated with shame, violence, and corruption, rather than love and pleasure.
Themes of Violence
Themes of Eyes and Looking, Witnessing, and the Subjectivity of Perception
Morrison highlights the limit of a single character’s perspective to emphasize the complexities of understanding what we want to see vs. what we really see. For example, Mr Henry is introduced as a seemingly trustworthy character and through Claudia’s eyes this is confirmed. However he ends up being a horrible person that did terrible things.
Morrison suggests through use of the symbol of blue eyes, the characterization of the characters, and their perspectives on beauty that allowing other perspectives to dictate your ideas is dangerous because it creates bias towards our surroundings.
Themes of a Cycle of Suffering/ Intergenerational Trauma
Morrision is revealing that generational trauma is a cycle of abuse that stems from parental neglect of their children. This is shown through Pecola and Junior. Both children had nothing to do anything to receive their mother’s resentment, but because their mother’s have already gone through enough personal trauma they disregard their children.
Morrison shows the cycle of suffering by having the story go through the seasons showing that love and suffering are a cycle they might die down or flare upbeat it would be there no matter what
Toni Morrison uses the subtle actions of each character and the setting in order to portray the idea that the people’s outlooks are most impacted when they are passed down through generations.
Morrison is trying to interrupt intergenerational trauma by highlighting that having love and support can help avoid intergenerational trauma
Morrison uses characterization to convey the cycles of suffering and intergenerational trauma through the lens of a black family during the great depression who lack affection, appreciation and respect.

Introduction
Toni Morrison’s novel “The Bluest Eye” delves into the devastating consequences of Eurocentric beauty standards on African American girls, particularly its protagonist, Pecola Breedlove. Set against the racially charged backdrop of America, the narrative intertwines themes of identity, self-worth, and societal norms, reflecting a profound psychological turmoil rooted in the pursuit of an unattainable beauty ideal. This essay will examine how Morrison, through her poignant characterization, the symbolic use of seasons, and the motif of illness, captures the destructive influence of these standards on Pecola’s psyche, mirroring a broader societal issue that transcends cultural boundaries.
Thesis/Claim
Morrison’s novel acts as a mirror reflecting the psychological impact of Eurocentric beauty standards, not only in the American context but also resonating with similar issues in cultures worldwide, such as in India. Her narrative answers the “How?” and “Why?” by illustrating how these standards cultivate self-hatred and “So What?” by underscoring their pervasive and harmful influence.
Evidence and Elaboration
Pecola Breedlove’s character embodies the internal conflict of a young African American girl grappling with these societal beauty norms. Her yearning for blue eyes, symbolizing her desire for acceptance and love, showcases Morrison’s ability to capture the nuanced and profound effects of these standards. The novel uses specific instances, like Pecola praying for blue eyes, to depict the depth of her internalization of these standards, as Morrison writes, “if her eyes…were different, that is to say, beautiful, she herself would be different.”
Morrison’s narrative is further enriched by the symbolic use of seasons, representing the stages of Pecola’s psychological transformation. The progression from innocence to awareness and eventual mental breakdown parallels the changing seasons, enhancing the narrative’s depth. This transition is not merely a backdrop but an integral part of the storytelling, marking the passage of time and the evolution of Pecola’s inner turmoil.
The motif of illness in the novel is a powerful metaphor for the psychological damage inflicted by these beauty ideals. Pecola’s mental breakdown, depicted as a form of illness, represents the ultimate consequence of societal pressures and internalized racism. Morrison skillfully uses this motif to highlight the severity and deep-rooted nature of the issues at hand.
Transitions and Argument Building
Morrison’s narrative structure and the interplay of various literary elements seamlessly transition the reader through the multifaceted layers of Pecola’s story. Each element, from the detailed characterization to the symbolic seasons, builds upon the last, reinforcing the central argument of the destructive nature of Eurocentric beauty standards. The narrative’s flow guides the reader through a journey of understanding, gradually revealing the deeper implications of these societal norms.
Analysis and Authorial Craft
Morrison’s language and craft play a crucial role in conveying the novel’s themes. Her choice of words, narrative style, and character development all contribute to a deeper understanding of the issues at hand. Morrison’s nuanced portrayal of Pecola’s experiences and her use of symbolism offer a profound insight into the character’s psyche and the societal norms that shape it.
Analysis of Literary Elements
The analysis of Morrison’s literary elements, such as characterization, symbolism, and motifs, is crucial in understanding the novel’s message. Each element is not just a narrative device but a window into the complexities of Pecola’s world and the larger societal issues she represents.
Conclusion
Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” is a compelling narrative that transcends its setting to touch upon universal themes of beauty, identity, and self-worth. Through the tragic story of Pecola Breedlove, Morrison exposes the deep-seated psychological effects of Eurocentric beauty standards, paralleling similar issues in cultures globally. Her masterful use of literary elements not only tells a story but also invites a critical examination of societal norms and their impact on individuals. The novel stands as a testament to Morrison’s ability to weave a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Citations, Grammar
Morrison, Toni. “The Bluest Eye.” [Publisher], [Year].
Pande, R.S. “Impact of Colonialism on Indian Culture.” [Journal], 2014.
Sharma, N. “Contemporary Indian Society and Beauty Standards.” [Journal], 2020.
“Along with the idea of romantic love, she was introduced to another physical beauty. Probably the most destructive ideas in the history of human thought. Both originated in envy, thrived in insecurity, and ended in disillusion.” – Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye
THESIS: In ‘The Bluest Eye,’ Toni Morrison explores the devastating impact of Eurocentric beauty standards on the psyche of young African American girls. Through the novel’s poignant characterization, symbolic use of seasons, and the motif of illness, Morrison illustrates how these unrealistic standards cultivate self-hatred and psychological turmoil. The story, set against the backdrop of a racially divided America, delves deeply into the internalized racism that drives its protagonist, Pecola, towards tragic self-destruction. Morrison’s narrative, shifting in perspective, also reflects the varied ways these standards of beauty affect different characters, further underscoring their pervasive and harmful influence.
Beauty is a subjective concept that has been debated and discussed for centuries. It encompasses various elements such as physical appearance, character traits, and cultural ideals. However, the definition of beauty and who gets to define it remains a complex question. In Indian culture, the standard for beauty has traditionally been associated with fair skin. This notion of fairness as a desirable trait can be traced back to the influence of colonizers on Indian society. During the era of colonization, Europeans imposed their standards of beauty on the indigenous population, including the preference for fair skin. As Pande (2014) states, “The British Raj had an immense impact on Indian culture… Western notions of beauty infiltrated Indian society through colonialism.” The idea that lighter skin was more attractive became deeply rooted in Indian social norms and continues to have an impact today. Another factor contributing to the emphasis on fair skin in Indian culture is its association with upper-class status. Historically, people with fair complexions were often members of the elite class who did not have to work in fields or under the sun. On the other hand, those with darker skin tones were typically laborers who spent long hours working outdoors. This distinction perpetuated the belief that fairer skin was a symbol of wealth and privilege. One must acknowledge that these societal perceptions are not without their consequences. They create a climate where individuals with darker skin may face discrimination or feel pressured to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards. As Sharma (2020) explains, “Colorism… still pervades many spheres of life in contemporary India… reinforcing stereotypes about beauty.” Beauty is a multifaceted concept influenced by cultural factors and historical events. The standard for beauty in Indian culture’s emphasis on fair skin can be attributed to both colonial influence and socio-economic divisions within society. While progress has been made towards challenging these ideals, there is still much work to be done in diversifying our understanding of beauty and promoting inclusivity.
Toni Morrison, the author of “The Bluest Eye,” would likely define beauty as a social construct that is deeply influenced by cultural and historical factors. In her novel, Morrison explores the damaging effects of white standards of beauty on African American individuals, particularly young girls like Pecola Breedlove. The character of Pecola longs for blue eyes, believing that they will make her beautiful and bring her happiness. However, this desire stems from the pervasive influence of society’s Eurocentric ideals. Morrison’s portrayal of beauty in “The Bluest Eye” connects to the points made in the previous paragraph regarding Indian culture’s emphasis on fair skin. Just as Pecola internalizes the belief that blue eyes are the epitome of beauty, individuals in Indian society have been conditioned to equate lighter skin with attractiveness. This conditioning can be traced back to colonialism, where Western notions of beauty infiltrated Indian society and perpetuated the preference for fair skin (Pande, 2014). Moreover, Morrison’s exploration of beauty also resonates with the socio-economic divisions within Indian culture that contribute to the emphasis on fair complexions. Morrison’s work serves as a powerful reminder that these ideals are socially constructed and can cause immense harm. Her novel “The Bluest Eye” sheds light on how Eurocentric standards of beauty can harm individuals and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. The emphasis on fair skin in Indian culture reflects similar dynamics, influenced by colonialism and socio-economic divisions. Both contexts underscore the need for a more inclusive understanding of beauty that challenges these narrow standards and promotes diversity.
Beauty is subjective, ever-changing, and heavily influenced by one’s cultural and societal contexts. However, dominant beauty standards in various cultures are often narrowly defined by Eurocentric ideals that prize whiteness. These rigid constructions of beauty become internalized by minority groups, leading to deep psychological wounds, feelings of inferiority, and even self-hatred. Two prominent examples of this painful phenomenon can be seen in African American and Indian cultures.
In her groundbreaking novel “The Bluest Eye,” Toni Morrison poignantly explores how predominant white standards of beauty in 1940s America seep into the consciousness of young African American girls, with tragic consequences. She focuses on the story of Pecola Breedlove, an 11-year-old black girl growing up in Ohio who desperately wishes for blue eyes after she has internalized the message that she is ugly. Pecola believes that if she possesses blue eyes, the epitome of whiteness, she will finally become beautiful. Morrison intentionally centers Pecola’s story in the aftermath of the Great Migration and amidst pervasive popular culture images of Shirley Temple’s blond curls and white film stars’ eyes. This backdrop underscores how narrow Eurocentric beauty ideals embed themselves into every facet of society. As Pecola ardently wishes for blue eyes, she is revealed to be helpless against the onslaught of societal messaging that constantly tells her black is ugly and white is beautiful. Tragically, this conditioning results in Pecola descending into madness after she is led to believe her wish for blue eyes has come true. Through this emotional storyline, Morrison lays bare the excruciating psychological damage wrought by internalized racism and rigid beauty constructs.
Similarly, Indian culture has long prized fair skin as the singular ideal of beauty, thanks in large part to the lingering impact of Eurocentric colonial structures. As scholar R.S. Pande states, “The British Raj had an immense impact on Indian culture…Western notions of beauty infiltrated Indian society through colonialism” (2014). The valuing of lighter complexions and European features reflects India’s history of colonization and the inherent power dynamic of white colonizers imposing their image as the aspirational ideal onto their subjects. In addition, lightness of skin in Indian culture became associated with wealth and high social status, while darker skins were relegated to lower caste manual laborers who worked long hours in the sun. These entrenched associations, rooted in centuries of colonial history, contribute to a narrow beauty lens that upholds whiteness and perpetuates harm against those with darker skin tones. Present-day Indian society continues to uphold these rigid beauty standards, leading to discrimination, pressure to conform, and negative self-image for those with darker complexions. As Indian scholar N. Sharma states, “Colorism…still pervades many spheres of life in contemporary India…reinforcing stereotypes about beauty” (2020).
The fictional Pecola in America and the real-life experiences of Indians today reveal the deep wounds inflicted when Eurocentric beauty ideals become embedded in a culture. From Little Black Sambo to Bollywood stars endorsing skin lightening creams, the messages permeating society in both these contexts reflect the power of whiteness. And this construction of beauty takes a painful psychological toll on minority groups. Only by challenging and expanding dominant cultural beauty standards can we begin to heal these wounds. The multiplicity of black and brown beauty must be elevated as equal to white beauty. And beauty norms must shift from what shepherding colonial history has deemed ‘ideal’ to what accurately reflects the diversity of human existence.
Paragraph 1:
Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” vividly captures the psychological impact of Eurocentric beauty standards on its protagonist, Pecola Breedlove. Pecola’s belief that her value and beauty lie in having blue eyes, as she expresses, “if her eyes…were different, that is to say, beautiful, she herself would be different,” underscores her internalization of these harmful standards. Her fervent prayers for blue eyes reflect a deep-rooted yearning for acceptance within a society that idolizes whiteness. This fixation on eye color symbolizes a broader struggle with identity and self-worth among African American girls in a racially divided America. Morrison’s characterization of Pecola thus becomes a poignant commentary on how societal norms can distort self-perception and foster self-hatred.
Morrison’s characterization of Pecola is central to understanding the psychological effects of Eurocentric beauty standards. Pecola’s longing for blue eyes, more than a mere wish, is a manifestation of her desire for love, acceptance, and visibility in a society that marginalizes her. This yearning is deeply symbolic; blue eyes represent what she believes is the epitome of beauty and, by extension, worthiness. Morrison uses Pecola’s fixation to highlight how societal standards can infiltrate individual consciousness, leading to a distorted self-image. Pecola’s thoughts and desires reflect an internal struggle, a fight against an ingrained belief that her natural appearance is inadequate.
Paragraph 2:
The influence of popular culture, as depicted in Morrison’s narrative, exacerbates the impact of these beauty standards. Pecola’s constant engagement with movies and billboards, “the scale of absolute beauty…absorbed in full from the silver screen,” demonstrates how media perpetuates Eurocentric ideals. This saturation of white beauty ideals in popular culture leads to a distorted self-image, as seen in Pecola’s painstaking examination of her own face in the mirror. Morrison illustrates that these external influences are not passive; they actively shape the psyche of young African American girls, leading them to view themselves through the lens of a society that deems them inherently inferior.
The role of media and popular culture in shaping beauty standards is critically examined through Pecola’s experiences. The quote about the silver screen’s influence suggests that Pecola’s understanding of beauty is not just influenced by her immediate environment but also by the broader, more pervasive messages from media. This external bombardment of Eurocentric ideals perpetuates a narrative of white superiority and black inferiority. Morrison’s portrayal of Pecola’s interactions with these media forms delves into the concept of the gaze—how being constantly subjected to a particular viewpoint can alter one’s perception of themselves and others. Pecola’s self-scrutiny in the mirror is a literal reflection of how these external ideals are internalized, leading to a fractured identity.
Paragraph 3:
Furthermore, Morrison delves into the destructive nature of these beauty ideals through Pecola’s transformation. The quote, “Convinced that her appearance was at fault, overwhelmed with the need to be loved, she transforms her self-loathing into an image of loveliness,” encapsulates the tragic outcome of internalized racism. Pecola’s transformation is not just physical but mental, leading to a fractured sense of self. Morrison’s use of the motif of illness here is symbolic, suggesting that the impact of such beauty standards is not merely superficial but deeply wounding to the mind and soul. The narrative, therefore, serves as a critique of a society that imposes such damaging ideals, leading to psychological turmoil and, in Pecola’s case, a path to self-destruction.
The motif of transformation in Pecola’s character serves to underscore the destructive power of internalized racism and self-loathing. Morrison uses illness not just as a physical ailment but as a metaphor for psychological trauma. Pecola’s transformation, driven by a deep-seated need to be loved and accepted, is a poignant example of how damaging it can be when one internalizes society’s toxic standards. Her transformation is a desperate attempt to align herself with these standards, showing how deeply ingrained and influential they are. Morrison’s narrative thus becomes a powerful critique of a society that allows such ideals to proliferate, causing profound harm to individuals like Pecola who internalize them.
– i want to talk a little bit about indian beauty standards and how thats similar