The Bluest Eye Identity Essay

They say you're identity is definable and recognizable; it's hard to find your identity, it's even harder to keep it. Experiences and obstacles define one's identity. This is shown through the eyes of the characters in the novel The Bluest Eye. This novel follows the life of a girl struggling to find her identity through different obstacles and events in her life. The past, other identities, and societal norms all builds and challenges one's identity.

The past is a vital aspect that builds and challenges one identity. To elaborate in the novel The Bluest Eye after Cholly Breedlove's was left alone (only few days after birth) he had to live life with a deserted mother. And because of this he despises women in general. He doesn't see respect for them because he sees them as a mere image of his mother. This shows the abandonment of mother made Cholly Breedlove feel as if no one deserved the love he was deprived of making him identify as dehumanized. Another example is when he was humiliated after white men caught him having sex for the first time with Darlene. He was furious at Darlene but not at the men because he couldn't find it in his heart to be angered by them. She was another example of all the women in his life, giving him this misogynist identity. Therefore the …show more content…
To emphasize in the novel, in Pecola's community whites are superior to blacks. They're seen as more beautiful. This influence who she identifies her race as because she wants to be beautiful. Another example is Maureen Peal is a mixed girl that plays a huge role in Pecola's identity. She doesn't really identify more so as blaack. She is popular in school, loved by all. After defending he mocks her saying ¨Black e mo. Black e mo. Yadaddsleepsnekked. Black e mo ya dadd sleeps nekked.¨ She taunts Pecola for her flaw. Things like this make Pecola want to change her race. There for other identities shapes and challenges on