In 1903, famous social rights activist W.E.B Dubois published a book called Souls of Black Folk. Moreover, Dubois suggests that all Black people view the world, and are identified by individuals through a certain degree of racism. This is particularly apparent in both how Pecola, the protagonist, is viewed among her community, and how she views the world itself. Through different tribulations, Pecola’s aspect on the world is altered; and her concept of beauty is torn between white and black. In actuality, her understanding is through the Shirley Temple doll she admires, the blue eyes she requires, and the individuals who consistently insult her.
Pecola’s admiration toward Shirley Temple is a defining factor in her perception of whites …show more content…
Uniquely, eyes are one of the most symbolic organs in the body, and usually connotate positivity. In Pecola’s case, her eyes are filled with pain, conflict, and the deception of beauty. She is honestly unconscious of the true meaning of beauty. Yet, still assumes that if she was white she would be beautiful. This is because her own mother believes if she was white, specifically Jean Harlow, she would be beautiful herself; and seeing her father afraid of white people astonishes her. Besides the constant bullying and environmental hardships Pecola is subjected to, She was raped and impregnated by her father. Following this, she visits Soaphead church to request blue eyes. Soaphead deceives her, once again, and secretly has her poison his dog. Furthermore, before the arrival of her “blue eyes” she loses both her baby and father. In fact, they take the everlasting pain out of Pecola's heart and her spirit broken eyes. With the wickedness out of her life she is able to see clearly, thus, believing she has blue eyes. Overall, the blue eyes symbolically did not just mean she wanted to be white, but she wanted a better happier one. People may say she is crazy now that she is insane, but she has obtained her own nirvana; Toni Morrison is telling the reader that there is nothing wrong with any African Americans appearance;even though she believes she is white, she remains just as perfect as she started
Pecola’s admiration toward Shirley Temple is a defining factor in her perception of whites …show more content…
Uniquely, eyes are one of the most symbolic organs in the body, and usually connotate positivity. In Pecola’s case, her eyes are filled with pain, conflict, and the deception of beauty. She is honestly unconscious of the true meaning of beauty. Yet, still assumes that if she was white she would be beautiful. This is because her own mother believes if she was white, specifically Jean Harlow, she would be beautiful herself; and seeing her father afraid of white people astonishes her. Besides the constant bullying and environmental hardships Pecola is subjected to, She was raped and impregnated by her father. Following this, she visits Soaphead church to request blue eyes. Soaphead deceives her, once again, and secretly has her poison his dog. Furthermore, before the arrival of her “blue eyes” she loses both her baby and father. In fact, they take the everlasting pain out of Pecola's heart and her spirit broken eyes. With the wickedness out of her life she is able to see clearly, thus, believing she has blue eyes. Overall, the blue eyes symbolically did not just mean she wanted to be white, but she wanted a better happier one. People may say she is crazy now that she is insane, but she has obtained her own nirvana; Toni Morrison is telling the reader that there is nothing wrong with any African Americans appearance;even though she believes she is white, she remains just as perfect as she started