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Oppressed Become the Oppressor: Psychoanalytical

Intersections of Trauma in Toni Morrison’s the Bluest Eye
Sahaya Babina Rose1, R. Kavitha2, Richard Mwale1
1 Gideon Robert University
2 DMI St. Eugene University

Funding: No specific funding was received for this work.

Potential competing interests: No potential competing interests to declare.

Abstract

This paper explores the intricate interplay of racism, trauma, and identity in Toni Morrison's novel The Bluest Eye. It

delves into the challenges faced by African Americans within a predominantly white society by utilizing current trauma
theory and Black feminist concepts. The theoretical framework includes cultural trauma theories, including the
contributions from scholar Evelyn J. Schreiber, and insights from feminist thinkers like Bell Hooks and Patricia Hill

Collins. Moreover, through an intersectional analysis, the study scrutinizes how gender, racial, class, and generational
trauma intertwine to mold individuals’ experiences and self-perception. Therefore, by amalgamating trauma theories

with feminist perspectives, the research provides valuable insights into the struggles of the characters and the societal
dynamics portrayed in Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye.

S. Sahaya Babina Rose1,*, Dr. R. Kavitha2, and Dr. Richard Mwale3

1Research Scholar, Department of English Language and Literature, Gideon Robert University, Lusaka, Zambia
2Deputy Vice - Chancellor, DMI-St. Eugene University, Zambia
3Department of English Language and Literature, Gideon Robert University, Lusaka, Zambia

*Correspondence: sahayababinarose1993@[Link]

Keywords: Trauma, Race, Class, Gender, Feminist perspective.

Introduction

Toni Morrison, an esteemed African American female author celebrated for her depiction of the Black experience in
American society, was born in 1931 and raised in Lorain, Ohio. She obtained a master's degree in American Literature
from Cornell University. Morrison was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for her novel Beloved, which uplifts her to be the

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first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. The characters in Morrison's novels often
grapple with the challenge of defining their identities and attaining racial freedom. However, this struggle is most

significantly depicted through their reliance on emotional and physical connections to overcome the anguish that stems
from their race. Prominently, the rediscovery of belonging through recollections of past experiences serves as a defense
against the cultural distress resulting from slavery, as depicted in The Bluest Eye, which is Morrison's first published
novel. In this novel, the narrative portrays individuals facing personal and contextual obstacles, where the concept of

belonging offers psychological support for their unique experiences within their communities. Most significantly Morrison’s
psychoanalytic, cultural, and sociological perspectives provide insights into the complex process of recovering from
trauma and establishing one's sense of self. Moreover, here, physical injuries serve as repositories for memories and act
as mechanisms through which trauma is transmitted from one generation to the next (Caruth 63; Schreiber 11). Trauma is
a term commonly employed by many individuals to describe the adverse and distressing incidents they encounter in their

everyday lives that significantly affect them. Nevertheless, the notion of trauma is more intricate than that. It cannot be
defined by the straightforward approach, which involves drawing parallels between common, everyday stressors.
Consequently, this research paper emphasizes and is based on this concept.

Herein below, this research paper aims to analyze how Toni Morrison explores Black feminist thinking and cultural trauma

in her novel The Bluest Eye. The objective is to investigate the intersection of trauma and Black female identity
concerning race, gender, and class. To achieve this goal, the study will delve into trauma theory and the significance of
cultural trauma. The statement emphasizes the importance of having a compassionate listener during the expression and
processing of traumatic experiences for the purpose of rehabilitation and healing. Furthermore, Morrison's work
underscores the role of the community in facilitating healing through the act of remembering. Additionally, the analysis
integrates theories by Bell Hooks and Patricia Hill Collins to provide a deeper examination of Morrison's novel.

Toni Morrison's first novel, The Bluest Eye (1970), delves into the unique desire of one of her characters to possess blue
eyes. This prompts Morrison to investigate the profound impact of racist ideology on the black population. Therefore,
through this novel, she aims to expose the dangerous consequences of internalizing such harmful ideas. Intertwined with
the history of the Black community, The Bluest Eye is celebrated for its powerful language and unwavering exploration of
challenging topics that shed light on the struggles endured by African Americans in a society overshadowed by white
supremacy. Notably, in this narrative, Morrison unfolds poignant and distressing incidents that inflict both physical and
psychological wounds on the characters, leading to a fractured sense of self. With this analysis, the research paper
thoroughly examines the harrowing experiences these individuals undergo, along with their shattered perception of self-
identity in Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. Moreover, it seeks to uncover the underlying significance of Morrison's work
while offering insights into her personal beliefs and principles.

Additionally, this novel, The Bluest Eye explores the effects of the trauma that African Americans experienced throughout
the 20th century, which primarily resulted from socially constructed ideas of white superiority and black inferiority.
Emphasizing here, it is important to point out that Black children bear a disproportionate burden of these traumas, which
significantly affect their self-perception and lead to fragmentation. According to Barbara Christian, a critic, highlights the
gravity of this issue by emphasizing that

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“In the Bluest Eye, the central focus lies on how the dominant standards of physical beauty and romantic love in
Western society not only impact black women…but also shape the black community's perception of its inherent

worth… By embracing Western beauty ideals, the black community inadvertently surrenders its control over its
own cultural norms” (qtd in Bloom, 34)

The story of The Bluest Eye revolves around an eleven-year-old black girl named Pecola Breedlove, who grows up in a
hostile society in Lorain, Ohio, in the 1940s. Pecola is depicted as the protagonist of the novel, a young girl who believes
she is ugly because of the constant bullying she endures from nearly everyone in her life, including her classmates,
parents, and members of her community. In particular, Pecola's longing for blue eyes, which she associates with beauty
and social acceptance, originates from the racial abuse and alienation she faces. Therefore, this unattainable yearning for
blue eyes leads her towards psychological instability, which ultimately results in tragic events such as two traumatic rapes.

According to a literary critic and professor of African American Studies, Claudia Tate, states that psychoanalysis offers
valuable insights into the intricate social dynamics related to race in the United States. She contends that language and
communication within a community have an impact on people's socially constructed sense of self (Schreiber 7). Moreover,
psychoanalytic theory examines the impact of personal trauma on one's self-esteem (Schreiber 8). So in order to treat
trauma, Tate recommends that trauma can stem from a lack of security in one's environment and stresses the fact that it
requires establishing a sense of safety for individuals who undergo therapy.

Traumatic experiences often lead to feelings of powerlessness and intense fear. Such encounters can evoke a sense of
abandonment, which is a recurring theme in Toni Morrison’s literary works. Additionally, Morrison explores the intersection
of the individual, family, and culture and portrays trauma not only as a result of specific events but also as influenced by

the available support systems in one's physical surroundings, which are also prominent central themes in her literature.
However, belief in one's self-worth and maintaining supportive relationships act as protective factors against the negative
effects of trauma, offering empowerment to those who share and process their traumatic experiences within a supportive
community. Furthermore, Morrison's writings illustrate how domestic environments, familial ties, and social networks can
mitigate the impact of psychological distress on an individual's self-esteem. The consequences of traumatic events and
their aftermath vary depending on when these traumas occur in a person's life (Schreiber 9).

Childhood trauma, in particular, has long-lasting effects on individuals as they grow into adults. Potentially, this can lead
them to develop various coping mechanisms to manage their feelings of helplessness or despair. However, these coping

strategies, while initially adaptive in dealing with trauma, can ultimately result in adverse outcomes for both the individual
and the community.

Analysis of Psychoanalytical Inter-Generational Trauma in The Bluest Eye

The novel The Bluest Eye delves into the consequences of discrimination that unfold after the abolition of slavery on

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individuals and their communities. Notably, it is worth noting that in the narrative, young individuals gain an understanding
of American culture, their Black communities, and their own self-value through an examination of the historical impact of
racial prejudice (Schreiber 65). As they navigate social stereotypes, individuals are challenged to form their own values

and beliefs. Specifically, they confront the repercussions of historical occurrences and family trauma, which further
complicates their journey of self-discovery. In particular, people in this situation struggle with their identity while seeking
security, protection, and affection. They also struggle with a lack of confidence and a sense of helplessness that are
products of white culture.

The disassociation from one's sense of self is intricately linked to the racial prejudice manifested by white society towards
Black individuals and its profound impact on their personal identity. It's imperative to recognize that Black individuals often
find themselves grappling with the expectations imposed by white societal standards, which compel them to seek
validation and affirmation within their own community. A poignant illustration of this dynamic can be found in Toni
Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye, where Morrison vividly portrays the effects of influence on the Black population through

the plight of the Breedlove family. For the Breedloves, their adversities primarily stem from the clash between Western
cultural values and their intrinsic way of life. Notably, the Breedloves stand apart from the conventional image of the
American family, as they not only struggle to conform to Western cultural norms but also grapple with relinquishing their
deeply rooted Black values, including the value of unity within their community.

An exemplar of this exploration is Pecola, a young adolescent who exemplifies the widespread harmful effects of racial
discrimination on Black individuals and its capacity to contribute to her mental instability. Consequently, Pecola firmly
correlates her sense of value with her skin color and holds the belief that beauty is equivalent to whiteness, which results
in her grappling with a detrimental perception of herself. This leads to susceptibility to societal scrutiny. Notably, here,

Morrison explores the concept of "unbeing" for Pecola as she struggles to form a sense of self influenced by societal
norms of beauty. Morrison states that “she does not perceive herself until she experiences a hallucination of her own
identity” (The Bluest Eye 211). In effect, it implies that, similar to her mother, she adeptly maneuvers through an artificial
world to comply. Hence, here, Morrison explicates her experiences to epitomize the historical subjugation endured by
Black individuals and underscores the impact of domestic and communal violence on personal growth.

In addition, the novel explores the consequences of trauma as a collective occurrence resulting from institutional
oppression and prejudice. Morrison highlights that dysfunctional families, such as the Breedloves in the novel, arise from
environments where parents lack mutual respect and instead neglect and mistreat their children. Consequently, the
Breedloves carry a sense of self-hatred, which is evident in their interactions with others. As a result, Pecola becomes a

victim of the intergenerational cycle of racial self-hatred. In this aspect of her work, Black Feminist Thought, Patricia
Collins delves into the relationship between Pecola and her mother, Pauline, which significantly and negatively influences
Pecola's sense of empowerment. Therefore, their toxic relationship nurtures harmful views of Pecola's self-worth. Notably,
in the novel, Morrison makes it clear that Pauline rejects her own daughter due to her own feelings of inadequacy,
passing on fear rather than love or care to her children. This rejection is explicitly shown when Pauline comments on
Pecola's appearance at birth: “Although she had a head full of beautiful hair, she was remarkably unattractive (The Bluest
Eye 124).”

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Through analysis, significantly in Black Feminist Thought, Collins examines the prevalent portrayal of Black mothers as
mammy figures in paid labor, which reinforces their subjugation. This portrayal is a role that Pauline embraces with pride.

Bell hooks, in her tome, Ain't I a Woman, discusses Black mothers with pride as they adopt the matriarchal role despite its
negative connotations. However, Morrison reflects in the novel that Pauline finds gratification in being perceived as a
maternal figure. For this, Collins argues that the mammy stereotype is associated with “true womanhood” that aligns with
traditional family values, (Collins 79). Thereby, Pauline's choice to embody this image as her sense of purpose is tied to
her duties at the Fisher household: “All the meaningfulness of her life was in her work. For her virtues were intact” (The
Bluest Eye 126). Therefore, Pauline's qualities remain unquestioned in this role. Besides, it is also important to note that,
while working for the Fisher family, Pauline shows affection and care for their child, with the Caucasian adolescent
affectionately calling her ‘Polly,’ while Pecola addresses her biological mother as Mrs. Breedlove. This contrast highlights
how Pecola perceives her mother as lacking the nurturing qualities of a caring parent and sees her as just another adult.
Consequently, Pecola becomes an ‘outsider-within,’ ostracized not only by her community due to her skin color but also
bears the scars of abuse by her father, which lead to her mental health issues and early pregnancy within her family.

In addition to the above context, Morrison exemplifies another incident in the novel. One day, when Pecola accompanies
her mother to the Fisher family's job, she observes a situation in which a young Caucasian girl unintentionally drops a pie
in the kitchen and becomes upset. In response, Pauline immediately reacts to Pecola with a sense of humiliation and then
starts to physically discipline her before comforting the little white girl, despite Pecola not being at fault. This incident
highlights how a mother-child relationship can deeply influence a child's personal growth and self-perception. Throughout
the novel, Morrison portrays Pecola from birth, subjecting her to critical evaluation (Ramírez, 80). Additionally, Pauline
fails in her duty as a caregiver by doubting Pecola's claims that her father had raped her. This failure is evident as Pauline
disregards Pecola's revelation of sexual assault and fails to provide safety, showcasing a stark contrast in her behavior.
Therefore, while Pauline acts as a nurturing figure at the white family's residence, embodying the role of a “mammy,” she
displays neglectful tendencies in her own household, taking on the role of a “matriarch” (Collins 79, 82). For these
representations, Collins argues that these portrayals are socially constructed representations that perpetuate the inferior
status of Black women. That is, despite being perceived as dutiful and faithful, similar to a "mammy," Pauline's portrayal
signifies subservience rather than genuine care or affection for her own family. However, in reality, she more closely
resembles a diligent houseworker tending to their needs. Consequently, Pauline's personal experiences of trauma and
oppression impede her ability to effectively express affection while imparting life lessons, leading to a negative impact on
the bond between her and her children. As a result, both Pauline and her children encounter challenges in forming

positive female identities due to a lack of empowering maternal support.

Due to the fact that Cholly, the father of Pecola, has suffered from horrific circumstances that have rendered him incapable
of displaying paternal attributes, which led him to mistreat and maltreat Pecola. Following Pecola's rape, a sequence of
demeaning encounters ensues, which results in her disconnection from her own identity. Moreover, both her mother and
father have internalized negative self-perceptions and have continued to support the authoritarian system they were
involved in. Furthermore, here, the community bears responsibility for Pecola's psychological distress, as her sense of self

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and value are shaped by societal standards, particularly those related to skin tone. It is important to note that within their
society, individuals with lighter skin tones are often viewed as superior to those with darker skin tones, which in turn
affects the group members' perception of themselves as either superior or inferior. As an example, Claudia reviews:

“All of us – all who knew her [Pecola] – felt so wholesome after we cleaned ourselves on her. We were so beautiful
when we stood astride her ugliness. Her simplicity decorated us, her guilt sanctified us, her pain made us glow
with health […] her poverty kept us generous. […] and she let us […]. We honed our egos on her, padded our

characters with her frailty, and yawned in the fantasy of our strength. And fantasy it was, for we were not strong”
(The Bluest Eye 203).

Yet another fact is that Pecola Breedlove, who is the protagonist in The Bluest Eye, faces bullying and contempt from
members of the Black community who perceive her as ‘ugly,’ which leads them to make her a scapegoat. It is due to her
disadvantaged background, she becomes vulnerable to accusations that she is responsible for her own sexual assault. A
woman even suggests that Pecola “carry some of the blame” (The Bluest Eye 187) and implies that she did not resist the
perpetrator, despite her young age of eleven. Moreover, the community's hostility towards Pecola extends to her unborn
child, as they anticipate the child inheriting to “be the ugliest thing walking” (187) and express hopes that the child will not
survive. However, in contrast, Claudia and Frieda actively work to disrupt the perpetuation of self-loathing from one
generation to the next by refusing to conform to societal beauty standards. Unlike the Breedlove family, Claudia's family
upholds communal values by supporting Pecola after the assault. Claudia also stands up against those who mistreat
Pecola. Thus, Morrison, through their actions, demonstrates how Black individuals can resist and challenge an oppressive
society through Claudia and her family.

In Morrison’s account of inherited generational trauma, she emphasizes the profound and lasting influence of Western
standards of beauty on Pecola. During a visit to Claudia's home, Pecola forms a strong emotional bond with a Shirley
Temple cup and even requests candies resembling Mary Jane. To her, consuming the candy signifies more than just
enjoying a sweet treat. Besides, for her, it symbolizes a form of escapism and a journey into a realm of fantasy. In
addition, she interprets the act of eating the sweets as a way to internalize Mary Jane herself, which makes her convinced
that possessing eyes akin to the blue shade of the Shirley Temple doll would make her more appealing to others,
garnering their affection. Thence, in her idealized vision, she envisions herself receiving admiration and compliments from

both individuals and her parents for her visually striking and enchanting eyes. Nonetheless, Pecola encounters rejection
and perceives herself as comparable to unwanted weeds, articulating, “No one harbors affection for the crown of a

dandelion” (The Bluest Eye 45). Consequently, with this feeling of alienation and being unloved, she bears the brunt of
discrimination and bias. Therefore, to seek solace from the torment and absence of affection, Pecola immerses herself in

white culture, consuming copious amounts of milk and cultivating a preference for desserts. She believes that to embody
the idealized persona of ‘Mary Jane,’ one must be willing to relinquish parts of their identity to conform to societal

expectations and assume a new persona, sacrificing individuality in the process.

From the above instance, it is fascinating to analyze the ways in which African Americans endeavor to embrace white

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culture in order to enhance their attractiveness or gain acceptance in society. Specifically, in this scenario, Pecola yearns
to assimilate into the dominant culture as a means of achieving beauty. Through Morrison's narrative, we get the

understanding that Pecola relies on the judgments of individuals in the societal mainstream to validate herself. Pecola,
however, finds it challenging to understand the deeper meaning Mary Jane's image conveys. This illustrates that despite

her unawareness of the harmful consequences of coveting blue eyes and conforming to conventional beauty standards,
she persists in pursuing the unattainable. Consequently, Morrison suggests through this episode that the impetus behind

Pecola’s aspirations is her desire for recognition and validation. This makes it clear that even if Pecola were to realize her
dream of possessing blue eyes, she would still lack an understanding of the necessary compromises involved in

becoming someone other than herself.

In particular, Claudia's encounter with a white Shirley Temple doll over Christmas holds great importance, especially when

compared to Pecola's experiences. However, the doll in the novel The Bluest Eye represents the idealized white society
that Black people are supposed to embrace, but at the same time, Claudia refuses to conform. She disassembles the doll

to appreciate its supposed capacity to be loved, despite encountering rejection from adults who fail to grasp her point of
view. Thus, Claudia intentionally destroys the doll out of jealousy for the love and attention it receives, as she refuses to

accept its symbolic meaning. Eventually, this shows that unlike Pecola, Claudia exhibits a strong sense of pride in her
Black identity and actively opposes the societal influences that promote a desire for whiteness, symbolized by the focus

on blue eyes.

Notably, as the narrative unfolds, Pecola becomes increasingly absorbed in a realm of imagination. Her mental state

deteriorates, which leads her to actively seek out Soaphead Church, whom she views as a ‘magician’, in hopes of fulfilling
her desire for blue eyes that she believes will change her life. At this point in time, Pecola becomes the sole individual to

perceive the invisible blue eyes that Soaphead Church supposedly bestows upon her. Pecola, however, retreats into a
private world characterized by silence and madness after another upsetting incident that her father started, which firmly

convinces her that she now has blue eyes. Despite this conviction, she remains trapped in a state of schizophrenia that
offers a distorted sense of autonomy, describing it as “the damage done was total” (The Bluest Eye 202). Therefore, by

finding solace in embracing madness as a shield against the external world, Pecola sees it as a form of defense against
others. Additionally, Pecola eventually turns to schizophrenia as a source of comfort due to the difficulties she faces and

uses inner dialogue as a coping mechanism for survival. Therefore, in the story's denouement, it is identified that Pecola
discovers comfort through introspection. The damaging effects of internalizing societal norms associated with whiteness

manifest in heightened self-hatred and aggression.

Morrison’s narrative depicts a community that neglects its children and imposes premature maturity, by subjecting Pecola

to hostility in The Bluest Eye. It is observed that this ordeal prompts her to develop unique coping strategies distinct from
those who have not faced similar threats. Hence, Pecola's tragic story serves as a poignant illustration of the harmful

consequences of adopting white cultural ideals. Indeed, in the novel's closing chapters, Morrison accentuates that Claudia
acknowledges the shared responsibility of both the community and individuals in Pecola's victimization, stating, “We all

burdened her with our refuse, and she internalized it” (The Bluest Eye 203). Therefore, unlike Pecola, Claudia highlights a
more positive transition into adulthood, unencumbered by the weight of trauma.

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According to Bell Hooks in her manual Ain't I a Woman?, she presents the statement that within a patriarchal society, men
are often encouraged to channel their pent-up animosity against others who have less power, such as women and

children (Hooks 105). This phenomenon is not limited to men, as it can also occur in women. The repercussions of this
form of wrath are apparent in specific characters. For instance, Morrison mentions in The Bluest Eye that Geraldine's

strict adherence to white cultural norms results in a lack of maternal affection and emotional attachment towards her son,
Junior. As a consequence, Junior channels his hostility towards his mother by displaying anger in other areas. For

example, he becomes aware that she prefers their blue-eyed cat over him, leading him to “channel his animosity towards
his mother onto the cat” (The Bluest Eye 84). Additionally, it should be noted that Junior, who is socially isolated and lacks

friends, exhibits aggressive behavior by mistreating both the cat and Pecola. He forcefully throws a sizable black feline at
Pecola's face, resulting in harm to her. In a loving, albeit fruitless, attempt, Pecola tries to console the terrified animal

before witnessing Junior viciously swing it against a window. In this incident, according to Schreiber's interpretation,
Junior's behavior indicates a lack of caring interaction with his mother, thus continuing the pattern of mistreatment that he

absorbs from her.

Furthermore, Morrison depicts the Breedlove family as fostering an atmosphere characterized by hate and hostility. In the

novel, it is seen that Cholly and Pauline express their animosity through physical violence, and they often engage in
arguments and shout at each other. And on top of that, they assign blame to each other, with Pauline feeling. Morrison

describes this in her novel as:

“She needed Cholly’s sins desperately. The lower he sank, the wilder and more irresponsible he became, and the
more splendid she and her task became. […] No less did Cholly need her. She was one of the few things

abhorrent to him that he could touch and therefore hurt. He poured out on her the sum of all his inarticulate fury
and aborted desires. Hating her, he could leave himself intact” (The Bluest Eye 40).

This toxic dynamic between the couple culminates in Cholly setting their home on fire deliberately, which leaves the family

in dire straits and in a state of profound hopelessness. Miserably, they find themselves in a situation where they have no

alternative but to seek shelter elsewhere. This particular situation of theirs symbolizes their complete loss of ethnic and
cultural heritage, familial ties, and personal fulfillment. Moreover, at that moment, homelessness triggers deep-seated fear

that is rooted in their past experiences, particularly affecting their daughter Pecola, who is internalized with her parents'
individual traumas. Furthermore, Pecola's physical response to the ongoing conflicts between her parents reflects her

absorption of their pain, as evident: “Pecola contracts her abdominal muscles and regulates her breathing” (The Bluest
Eye 38). This signifies that she internalizes the trauma that is present in her environment. For this, Caruth argues that

trauma manifests as a physical threat, as seen in Pecola's reactions to external torment by her peers. It is portrayed in the
novel that, Pecola “appeared to retreat inward, resembling a folded wing” (The Bluest Eye 71). Moreover, Morrioson

represents, Pecola’s brother, Sammy, as also being similarly affected by their parent’s trauma. But he reacts in a distinct
manner and flees from the violence by running away, which contrasts with Pecola's method of enduring suffering through

various means. Here, Morrison emphasizes the fact that both individuals undergo enduring and intense suffering, even

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though they employ different methods to deal with it. She writes, “Despite the variations in methods,” (The Bluest Eye 41),

she states, “the pain remained consistently profound” (The Bluest Eye 41). Moreover, the protagonist’s internal conflict
between a strong urge for one person to eliminate the other, and a deep longing for her own demise is depicted through

vivid imagery of her gradual disappearance, symbolizing her desire to vanish slowly. However, firstly, her “fingers vanish
individually, followed by her arms disappearing up to the elbows. Her feet at this moment. Only her narrow, narrowed eyes

remained. The individuals were consistently abandoned” (The Bluest Eye 43). However, she is acutely aware that her
perceived lack of physical attractiveness will perpetually hinder her from attaining true freedom (Schreiber 74).

Another character in the novel is Cholly, who undergoes initial trauma when his mother abandons him in the care of Aunt
Jimmy as an infant. Cholly reminisces about the time he spent with his aunt and great role models like Blue Jack during

his upbringing in a stable and loving environment, even in adulthood. Nevertheless, these positive recollections soon
transform into traumatizing dreams and profoundly influence Cholly's subsequent existence. An exceptionally personal

moment with his beloved, Darlene, is spoiled by embarrassment when they are interrupted by two Caucasian males who
mockingly insist that they “get on wid it. An’ make it good, nigger, make it good” (The Bluest Eye 146). As a result of this

encounter, Cholly experiences feelings of humiliation and emasculation as he reluctantly obeys the commands of the
white males. However, Cholly channels his sentiments of embarrassment and hatred towards Darlene as a reaction to this

predicament. Morrison states this in the novel as,

“Never did he once consider directing his hatred towards the hunters. Such an emotion would have destroyed him”

(The Bluest Eye 148).

Therefore, Cholly undergoes humiliation as the two white men diminish his sense of masculinity, which results in him
feeling physically and emotionally defenseless.

Over and above, Schreiber describes Cholly as incapable of evading the sensation of being a defenseless youngster

within white society. When he sexually assaults Pecola, he unknowingly reenacts his own distressing initial sexual

encounter, which results in her internalizing his suffering. Therefore, Pecola literally absorbs his sexual trauma. Cholly's
lack of consistent parental supervision in his own childhood leads him to be an ineffective parent who faces difficulties in

forming strong connections with his children. Through examining his thoughts, it can be understood that his intense self-
loathing caused him to brutally mistreat Pecola when he mistakenly identified her as Pauline. However, the user

experiences a state of perplexity that incites contradictory feelings of affection and animosity, which ultimately leads to the
act of attacking his daughter, which mirrors the events involving Darlene and Pauline.

Additionally, Pauline's belligerent conduct can also be attributed to her encounters with childhood trauma. Having been

raised in a sizable family of ten siblings in Alabama, she experienced a distressing incident during her early years when a
nail penetrated her foot at the age of two. This incident left her with a sense of alienation within her own family. The

physical injuries resulted in a sense of isolation and inadequacy, which in turn caused emotional neglect and a pervasive

sense of not fitting in anywhere. Moreover, her desire for connection and acceptance drove her to seek comfort in Cholly,

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whom she initially perceived as a source of safety and affection. Nevertheless, as their marital union advanced,
sentiments of solitude resurfaced as they relocated from familiar environs, only to encounter repudiation from both

Caucasian and African American communities. As a result, Pauline, feeling unsupported and invalidated, was ultimately
left isolated once again, which caused her additional distress due to the estrangement.

Conclusion

Utilizing intersectionality as a strategy has proven to be useful and essential in understanding the intricate systems that

impact the experiences of African American women. In order to fully comprehend the lived experience of an African
American female in the United States, it is essential to examine several factors, including social context, race, class, and

gender, that intersect and shape individuals’ self-perception. Moreover, it is crucial to comprehend that each factor has a
significant influence, and it is not feasible to isolate and concentrate on them individually. Significantly, Morrison makes it

evident through the main characters’ terrible experiences, which are the result of numerous variables, including their
ethnicity, gender, and social class, in The Bluest Eye. Despite being a fiction writer, Toni Morrison acknowledges that her

works have elements of fact. Moreover, black feminist thought, within a theoretical framework, encompasses the views,
interpretations, and experiences of Black females in America, forming a collection of Black feminist standpoints.

Therefore, by utilizing Black feminist thought in the study, it has facilitated the development of a lexicon for examination,
by encompassing terms such as mammies, matriarchs, the Other, and Black womanhood. Besides, the importance of

each character in the novel serves as a representation of the African American experience in the United States. They
symbolize the historical legacy of slavery and the experiences they have endured. Moreover, they symbolize those who

have been overlooked and suppressed.

Therefore, the selected theories and the novel The Bluest Eye serve as depictions of the personal encounters of both

Black females and males, aiming to illustrate the concepts of cultural trauma and Black feminism that align with the
realities of Black individuals. Hence, Toni Morrison's works bring to light the tragedies that African Americans face in their

lives by exploring the intersections of race, gender, class, and trauma. In essence, her writings have the potential to
elevate the status of Black individuals, particularly Black women, from a marginalized position to a more prominent and

influential role. Moreover, Morrison not only illustrates the castration of Black individuals by whites, but also explores the
African American community's disregard for its own members. In Toni Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye, the central

character, Pecola, a young African American girl, experiences violence inflicted upon her by both members of her own
Black community and those of white ethnicity. Thus, the issue of violence achieves its own creative manifesto, leading to

many conclusions and repercussions. The text depicts a sequence of cause and effect that gives rise to a chain of
interconnected events.

References

Bloom, Harold. Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye. New York: Infobase publishing, 2010. Print

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 Qeios, CC-BY 4.0 · Article, April 30, 2024

Caruth, Cathy. Unclaimed Experience: Trauma, Narrative, and History. Baltimore: John Hopkins UP, 2016. Print.

Collins, Patricia H. Black Feminist Thought; Knowledge, consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. Routledge,

2009. Print
Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. 1970. Vintage, 2019. Print

Ramírez L, Manuela. “The Theme of Shattered Self in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye and A Mercy.” A journal of
English and American studies, vol 48. 2013, pp- 75-91. Web.

Schreiber, Evelyn J. Race, Trauma, and Home in the Novels of Toni Morrison. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State UP, 2010.
Print.

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