Questions and Answers
The storyline of The Bluest Eye is set during which decade?
1940s
Where does most of the action in the story take place?
Instead of traditional chapters, what is The Bluest Eye divided into?
Seasons
In her opening exigence (reason for writing) to introduce the novel, Morrison pointedly writes that 'There can't be anyone, I am sure, who doesn't know what it feels like to be...' (what) 'momentarily or for sustained periods of time'?
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Similarly, to preface the novel, Morrison writes that in confronting a tragedy like Pecola's, one first asks:
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Throughout the story, Morrison symbolically employs allusions to which widely popular reading primer to exemplify the divide between black and white culture in the 1940s?
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Near the beginning of the novel, why does Pecola briefly stay with the MacTeer family?
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Who is depicted on the cup Pecola habitually likes to drink out of in the MacTeer home?
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After Cholly is released from jail, the Breedloves move into an apartment that was once
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What piece of furniture in the Breedloves' apartment fills its owners with rage?
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Amidst the palpably racist and conformist environment of the era, who notably professes to hate white baby dolls with a passion?
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When her parents start fighting, Pecola tends to imagine all of her body parts disappearing except for:
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Every night before she falls asleep, what does Pecola pray for?
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Who lives above the Breedloves' apartment?
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What kind of flower does Pecola affectionately notice along the way as she walks to Mr. Yacobowski's grocery store to buy candy?
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What kind of candy does Pecola buy at Mr. Yacobowski's grocery store?
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In the second section of the novel, 'Winter,' Morrison employs winter metaphors to describe Claudia's fond memories of who?
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The new girl in Pecola, Claudia, and Frieda's elementary school is named:
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Unlike everyone else, Claudia and Frieda do not like the new girl, so they ridicule her by calling her:
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When the group of girls witness Pecola being bullied by some classmates on the playground, who is the first to stand up to them in her defense?
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What is the name of the ice cream shop the group visits after Pecola's rescue called?
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In the fight near the end, the new girl calls her classmates what and runs off?
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Pecola receives a beating from her mother because:
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Whose cat is Pecola falsely accused of killing?
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Frieda is sexually abused by who?
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Because Frieda does not want to be 'ruined' like the Maginot Line, she and Claudia search for what?
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What is a distinguishing feature of Pauline Breedloves?
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Where/for whom does Mrs. Breedlove work?
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Mrs. Breedlove's first boss dismisses her because:
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In her mind, the main reason why Pauline does not leave Cholly is because of:
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Who raises Cholly Breedlove after he is abandoned by his mother?
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What happens when Cholly finally finds his father?
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Who takes refuge in movies most?
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In the final section of the novel, when summer arrives, Claudia recalls her mother telling her about a storm that allegedly blew away half their town in:
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Frieda and Claudia sell marigold seeds in the hopes of...
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Study Notes
Setting and Structure
- The Bluest Eye is set during the 1940s, reflecting a time of racial tension and societal norms.
- The narrative is uniquely divided into seasons rather than traditional chapters, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the characters' struggles.
Characters and Their Experiences
- Pecola Breedlove temporarily stays with the MacTeer family because her father, Cholly, attempted to set their home on fire.
- Pecola's desire for blue eyes symbolizes her longing for beauty and acceptance in a society that values whiteness.
- Claudia and Frieda, Pecola's friends, defend her against bullies, showcasing camaraderie amidst adversity.
Symbolism and Themes
- Morrison uses the Dick and Jane reading primer to illustrate societal standards and the racial divide of the 1940s, contrasting the idealized white family with the Breedloves' reality.
- Dandelions symbolize Pecola's innocence and desire for love, contrasting with the harshness of her environment.
Family Dynamics
- Pauline Breedlove, Pecola's mother, has a distinctive physical appearance, characterized by a lagging foot and a missing tooth, symbolizing her struggles and hardships.
- Cholly Breedlove, Pecola's father, was raised by his aunt and faced rejection from his own father, affecting his relationship with his family.
Social Issues
- Themes of racism, self-worth, and societal beauty standards permeate the text, as seen through Pecola's interactions and her family's experiences.
- The novel addresses the impact of family dysfunction and societal violence on a child's psyche.
Significant Events
- Pecola prays for blue eyes every night, reflecting her deep-seated belief that achieving beauty would alter her fate.
- Frieda experiences sexual abuse from Mr. Henry, highlighting the dangers faced by young girls in their environment.
Key Relationships
- Mrs. Breedlove works as a servant for the Fishers, showcasing class tensions and the dynamics between black servants and white employers.
- The tension between Cholly and Pauline contributes to Pecola's feelings of worthlessness, as their dysfunctional relationship shapes her identity.
Community and Isolation
- The presence of three prostitutes living above the Breedloves' apartment introduces the theme of survival amid societal neglect.
- The events surrounding Pecola illustrate the isolation felt by marginalized individuals in a racially divided society.
Conclusion and Reflection
- Morrison's narrative invites readers to reflect on the lasting effects of racism and the societal construction of beauty on the lives of individuals like Pecola Breedlove.
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