The title of the novel refers to Pecola Breedlove’s intense desire for blue eyes. She believes herself ugly and unworthy of love and respect, but is convinced that her life would be magically transformed if she possessed blue eyes. How do you feel racial self-loathing corrodes the lives of Pecola and her parents, Cholly and Pauline Breedlove? How, in your opinion, does racial self-hatred manifest itself in characters like Maureen Peal, Geraldine, and Soaphead Church?
The family focused too much on their looks. Pecola was convinced she was ugly and therefore she was worthless. They could have built up their children by focusing on positive aspects of their lives. But, in this family there was never any discussion of goodness, kindness, or any redeeming qualities for any of them. It was like, since we are not good looking, we are worthless and that was it, the end of the story. Therefore, it’s easy to understand why Pecola thought having pretty, blue eyes would change her life for the better.
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First, African Americans were/ and some still are second class citizens. The definition of beauty was defined by those in authority (e.g. employers, teachers) and social norms. Being black and having black features was considered ugly and not ideal in society. The lighter one was or closer to white was/is given privileges, status, and opportunities that darker black could not obtain. Plus their parents and generations of family /friends before them and black society didn’t have good role models for being parents, teachers or a person in society. Children and family members were often separated or could cultivate a healthy, prosperous home life. This started in slavery. Even the dolls the girls received for Christmas didn’t represent them. They were given white dolls . The toys they played with didn’t represent them. It wasn’t until until 1960s that manufacturers start making toys of different races and ethnicities, including literature, beauty magazines and cosmetics. Hair products were not geared to African American hair type. There was a movements that “Black is Beautiful” in 1960/1970s. All this stem from slavery. And you can go to other cultures in the world, e.g. India wanted to be British. Melato or mixed Blacks were and still treated better than darker Blacks by White and black society. People of color have an issue of colorism. The dark blacks were considered ugly, aggressive, not well educated, not well mannered. So Pecola wanted to be treated by her mother the same as the white child she cared for employment. She wanted to be accepted into society. . Among her Black friends there was a hierarchy. They all were struggling with self identity and esteem. They were shunned by society. To make one feel superior than the another, we tend to have to put someone else down. By white beauty was ideal. Especially blue eyes and blond, straight hair. that can easily move. This still exists in our society. Look at the movie “Wicked”, Glinda of Oz, was ideal, white, blond and blue eyes. White superiority still exists.
The Breedloves lived in a storefront because they were poor and black and they believed they were ugly. They had this conviction and did nothing to show love or to inspire self-love or confidence in their children. Pauline and Cholly fell in love and moved north to Ohio for a better life. Pauline wanted romantic love, like she saw in the movies with white men and women. But Cholly turned to drink and was no longer affectionate with her. The parents’ low self esteem and “ugliness” was perpetuated in their children.
Pauline wanted to work so she could buy things and dress like other bkack women she had met. She liked working for a well-to-do family and caring for their pretty daughter, more than caring for her own small house and children.
Mareen was high yellow and she felt superior to other blacks. Maureen, Frieda, Claudia and Pecola were walking home from school. Maureen had money and asked if they wanted ice cream. She was cruel and bought ice cream for herself and Pecola, but not for the sisters. Maureen said, “I am cute and you are black and ugly.”
Morrison calling the family Breedlove seemed to set the tone for the entire novel. Neither Cholly or Pauline or their parents before them could be seen as breeding love. Geraldine’s self-loathing stands out because it directly affects her treatment of others. She meets the physical needs of her baby but provides nothing in the way of empathy for his need for love. Her need to fit in corrupts everything in her life. The only place she seems to be happy is in the white household where she works. There she is a “treasure,” called Polly.