Geraldine's Reaction To Pecola

While the first criterion does not lend itself well to this example, the latter criteria (particularly the third) explain Geraldine’s reaction to Pecola. She was not only black like Pecola, but Pecola was in her house, which was a threat to her identity. In order for Geraldine to truly feel like she was on par with her white middle class counter parts, she had to have a quaint, well kept house.
This was yet another formative event for Pecola’s negative identity of herself. Junior, a member of what she clearly thought was part of her in-group (or she would not have trusted him), had betrayed her. This, coupled with Geraldine’s harsh words, in a matter of moments catapulted Pecola from the false security of what she thought was her in-group, into the world of the other. Nearly every experience mentioned by Morrison in Pecola’s life (while she was still sane) reinforced the concept that she was ugly and undesired. Any chance of having a positive identity and self esteem throughout her life was dashed to pieces by acts of hate committed by members of the out-group in her life, and the groups to which she actually belonged. These events were piled on top …show more content…
Though traditionally labeled victims themselves, China, Poland and Miss Marie do not fit the stereotype of the fallen images. The name of the three prostitutes, China, Poland, and Miss Marie evoke people to remember the dauntless effort against invasions of China, Poland and France in the face of more powerful forces during World War II, the history setting of The Bluest Eye. They are self-employed people who control their business; they are independent and reliant. Although not accepted by the society, the three whores are not devoid of self-confidence, arranging their lives according to their own ways, which is different from Pecola whose life is arranged and controlled by the outside