tony morrison’s the bluest eye through the lenses of new historicism

This essay intends to analyze the bluest eye in the light of new historicism, meaning that it will be analyzed in parallel with its socio-political context. it aims at showing that power does not emanate only from the top of the political and socioeconomic structure. rather, power circulates in all directions, to and from all social levels, at all times. it focuses on the ways in which white ideology in america has affected the life of african americans during the 20th century. toni morrison, the author, uses the history of racism in america to show the different struggles that pecola, the main character, goes through because of her skin color. in the perspective of new historicism, this essay aims at showing the different facets of racism along with savvy of beauty in american society, which ultimately proves to have destructive consequences for many of the characters in the novel, especially black women. it shows that ugliness is considered as a fear pushed back into the subconscious, which causes self-hatred, resulting in the transition of the characters' self-image from self-hatred to self-esteem. accordingly, it marks toni morrison's ideas about racism and its destructive effects and establishes the destructive effects of racism. the essay establishes that, because of its concern with racial discrimination, this novel is best understood and analyzed if read in the light of its socio-political context.