Search for Identity In Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye"

Abstract

The present dissertation explores the issue of identity in Toni Morrison's novel The Bluest Eye (1970). The primary purpose is to examine the effects of white dominance upon black female’s attitudes towards her own beauty and blackness. It also, focuses on how the African-American author fictionally represents racial and domestic violence against black girls in a white community. It provides a practical demonstration of how racial and sexual stereotypes enfeeble black women’s identity and self-image. It draws on two theories : New Historicism helps to argue that the author’s novel is a mere reflection of a strong commitment to demonstrate how the black female’s identity is constructed; regarding feminism, some of its principles have been embraced of the true nature of the black female’s character and behaviour. The aim is to investigate the possible links between the black female’s conception of and white youth’s misconception about beauty. It also aim at showing the relevance of a historical reality of racism and its effects and the black female’s sense of inferiority. Furthermore, Post Colonialism is applied to clarify the psychological impact of the colonizer’s cultural practices on the identity development of the colonized . The findings points to the conclusion that the construction of black identity is rooted in socio-economic, political and historical factors ;also addresses the consequences of racism again and stand its corrosive influence upon their personality. Finally, self-loathing is constructed by myths invented on black female’s sexuality.