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

Search for a Perfection in The Bluest optic The concept of somatogenetic beauty and desire to conform to a prescribed definition of what is considered beautiful can destroy a persons life. In Toni Morrisons novel, The Bluest Eye, many an(prenominal) characters are obsessed with attaining the idealist definition of what is considered beautiful. The characters of Geraldine, Pauline, and Pecola all believe that physical perfection leads to pass judgmentance however, it is the same belief that causes their personal downfalls and prevents them from recognizing their own inner beauty. Geraldines anxieties over wanting to comply with what others think is beautiful, damage her existence. For example, the character of Geraldine is so consumed with physical perfection that she prevents herself from accepting her black heritage. When the author illustrates how woman alike(p) Geraldine act, she asserts, They hold their behind in for worship of sway too poverty-stricken when they wear lipstick they neer cover the entire 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 haze over them. She thinks black people are ugly, and she wants to appear white because she equates having lighter hide with being a better person. Geraldine thinks she will 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 pertain with her babys physical appearance than with his emotional needs, she writes, He was always brushed, bathed, oiled, and shod. Geraldine did not reproof to him,coo to him, or indulge him in kissing bouts, but she saw that every o... ...ining an ideal appearance in order 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 look will enhance their lives. However, as a case 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. modern-day literary Criticism. Ed. Roger Matuz. naut mi Gale Research Inc., 194-213. Davis, Cynthia. Self, Society, and Myth in Toni Morrisons Fiction. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Draper, James P., ed. Michigan Gale Research Inc., 1994. 215-273. Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. New York, New York Plume, 1994. Steiner, Wendy. The Clearest Eye. Contemporary Authors. Trosky, Susan, M., ed. Michigan Gale Research Inc., 1994. 239.