Representation of Racism, Oppression and Marginalization of Black Women in Tony Morrison’s The Bluest Eye

Abstract

The concept of racism is developed and constructed by our society which further creates disparities among people. This term is based on belief system and very much relevant in the modern contemporary society, therefore, internalize by great number of masses. Racism is a cooperative force of actions by large number of people that maintain and persist with each other, where some communities enjoy the benefits and other groups suffers difficulties. Thereby racism is responsible for prejudice and discrimination between people all around the world. This omnipresent and multi-faceted nature of racism is particularly poignant in Toni Morrison’s novel The Bluest Eye. The article critically analyzes the novel, and scrutinizes how Morrison defies Western standards of beauty which further reveals that the idea of beauty is socially constructed. Morrison identifies that large section of black women is severely marginalized and oppressed by men and by western culture. In exhibiting pride in being dark, this author does not just depict optimistic pictures of blackness but also she focus on the damage that the black women characters experiences through the development of femininity in a racialized world. This article try to investigate the issues associated with the subjugation of African American women and non American African women, the class differences, the idea of beauty and materialism linked with the growing class versatility, patriarchal society, the ill-treatment of women and the notion of beauty as a way to have a "superior life". The article shows how the prejudice that exists within the African American people can be viewed as an impact of the discrimination and bigotry that its people have been subjected by the Whites. The Bluest Eye is a remarkable articulation of Toni Morrison's ethnic social women's liberation, a critic of black poverty, vulnerability and loss of optimistic self-image signified by Pecola who believe that blackness has condemned her to cruelty and ignorance. The idea of race and the idiocy of fair skin are depicted through the incidents and stories told by the characters, particularly the three young women Claudia, Pecola and Frieda in the novel. Thus, Morrison proves us the damaging impact of pre-conceived notion of white beauty on individual and on society through the struggle of those people who have suffered. It also scrutinizes the marginalization and oppression of black women by not only whites but also by their native people.