Search for Perfection in Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye Essay -- Blues

Search for a Perfection in The Bluest Eye The concept of physical beauty and need to conform to a prescribed comment of what is considered beautiful can pulverize a persons life. In Toni Morrisons novel, The Bluest Eye, many characters are obsessed with attaining the idealist definition of what is considered beautiful. The characters of Geraldine, Pauline, and Pecola all in all believe that physical perfection leads to acceptance however, it is the same doctrine that causes their personal downfalls and prevents them from recognizing their own inner beauty. Geraldines anxieties over wanting to comply with what others specify is beautiful, damage her existence. For example, the character of Geraldine is so consumed with physical perfection that she prevents herself from accepting her ominous heritage. When the author illustrates how woman like Geraldine act, she asserts, They hold their behind in for aid of sway too free when they wear lipstick they never portion out the en tire mouth for fear of lips to thick, and they worry, worry, worry about the edges of their hair (Morrison 83). Geraldine is so ashamed of her black characteristics that she tries to hide them. She thinks black people are ugly, and she wants to show up white because she equates having lighter skin with being a better person. Geraldine thinks she leave alone be discriminated for being black, therefore, she refuses to accept and own any physical features of her culture. In addition, when the author illustrates how Geraldine is more concerned with her babys physical appearance than with his emotional needs, she writes, He was always brushed, bathed, oiled, and shod. Geraldine did not talk to him,coo to him, or indulge him in cuddling bouts, but she saw that every o... ...ining an ideal appearance in companionship to accommodate what others view as beautiful can ruin ones existence. The characters of Geraldine, Pauline, and Pecola all erroneously believe that obtaining a certain lo ok will conjure their lives. However, as a result of their search for a perfect outward image they are never able to value their inner selves. works Cited Bayles, Martha. Special Effects, Special Pleading. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Roger Matuz. Michigan Gale Research Inc., 194-213. Davis, Cynthia. Self, Society, and allegory in Toni Morrisons Fiction. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Draper, James P., ed. Michigan Gale Research Inc., 1994. 215-273. Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. impertinent York, New York Plume, 1994. Steiner, Wendy. The Clearest Eye. Contemporary Authors. Trosky, Susan, M., ed. Michigan Gale Research Inc., 1994. 239.