This research paper tends to cover several issues that concern the black race in the light of The Bluest Eye. It consists of two parts. Each part includes two chapters. The first chapter of the first part is about the racialization of beauty. In other words, it shows how the notion of beauty is culturally constructed. The white dominant culture creates standards of beauty, which do not allow African Americans to consider themselves as beautiful because of their dark of skin.
The second chapter further explains how some of the characters in The Bluest Eye long for whiteness because it stands for beauty, purity as well as cleanliness. It also tries to uncover the veil on the issue of whiteness in various fields including the cinema, the American literary canon as well as the Christian creed.
The first chapter of the second part explores the abusive interactions between black and white characters and shows how a small variation in the color of skin can strike some people of their human nature. It also examines the role of capitalism in giving rise to racism and classism. The second and the last chapter examines the issue of internalized racism. That is to say, to what extent all the issues that were mentioned in the previous chapters can affect the psyche of the main characters throughout the novel.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Racialized Beauty
- Whiteness
- Everyday Racism
- Internalized Racism
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper examines the theme of race in Toni Morrison's novel "The Bluest Eye" by analyzing the various ways in which it affects the lives of the characters. The paper explores the cultural construction of beauty, the desire for whiteness, the impact of everyday racism, and the concept of internalized racism. It aims to shed light on the profound impact of racialized beauty standards and the societal forces that contribute to the marginalization of African Americans.
- The Racialization of Beauty
- The Desire for Whiteness
- Everyday Racism and Its Impact
- Internalized Racism and Its Psychological Effects
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Racialized Beauty: This chapter analyzes how the concept of beauty is culturally constructed and how the white dominant culture creates standards that exclude African Americans from being considered beautiful. The chapter focuses on the characters of Pecola Breedlove, Pauline Breedlove, and Claudia, who all struggle with the effects of racialized beauty standards.
- Whiteness: This chapter examines the characters' longing for whiteness, which represents beauty, purity, and cleanliness. It explores the impact of whiteness in various fields, including cinema and the American literary canon.
- Everyday Racism: This chapter explores the abusive interactions between black and white characters, demonstrating how seemingly small variations in skin color can dehumanize individuals. It also examines the role of capitalism in perpetuating racism and classism.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of this research paper include: racialized beauty, whiteness, everyday racism, internalized racism, African American literature, Toni Morrison, "The Bluest Eye", cultural construction, beauty standards, marginalization, invisibility, and the impact of societal forces on individuals.
- Quote paper
- Issam El Masmodi (Author), 2018, The Concept of Race in Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/505657
