Rakshana S, BBA LLB, Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad
ABSTRACT
The novel ‘The Bluest Eye’ written by the American author Toni Morrison, provides the readers with a glimpse into the world of the African Americans living in America. The story revolves around Pecola, her family, her friends, and the events that happen to each one of them illustrating how white supremacy has affected each one of their lives. Characters like Pecola and her mother feel that they are ugly due to the standard of beauty set by the white people of the society. Claudia Macteer and Freida Macteer showcase hate and contempt towards the predetermined standards of having white skin and blue eyes to be beautiful and rebel against them. Cholly Breedlove develops a violent and abusive nature from a young age, due to his humiliations by the white people while some other characters like Sammy and Junior come up with their own ways to survive through their affectionless childhood such as running away and harassing other children or animals. As it can be well inferred, the traumatic incidents of one’s life have largely influenced each of their characters and have affected the people around them in many ways. These incidents encapsulate some widely occurring and experienced social issues by the African Americans of that time. This research paper will contain a deep analysis of the events illustrated in the novel that bring out social issues like racial discrimination, discrimination with the colour of skin, child abuse, and many more.
Keywords: African Americans, Traumatic events, Social issues, Discrimination, Child Abuse
