... ways in which women of this time period have altered their cultural normalities of beauty to fit into society's definition of beautiful. This was done by whitewashing away the "funk" that women of color held in order to fit into society's mold of beautiful. Whitewashing is a term used in society that takes people from non-white cultures ... women straightening their hair, or getting a weave to fit into a certain, white culture, or people in India and China, using a bleach based lotion to make their skin less pigmented. In The Bluest Eye, Morrison refers to these traits of nature as "fu...

• Word Count: 940
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... than seeing people's dislike for her for what it was, prejudice and ignorance. The view of beauty instilled in her by her mother and supported, in Pecola's view, by her father, was proved right by the actions of her peers, shown by the new girl at school. Maureen Peal comes to Pecola's school in the winter, and has a profound influence on what Pecola thinks of herself. Once again ... receiving better treatment from everyone because of her beauty, and that beauty in Pecola's estimation, is a direct result of her lighter skin. Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye gives the reader many shocking ...

• Word Count: 876
• Approx Pages: 4

In this section of the book, Toni Morrison tackled an issue black people have been facing for years- light skin verses dark skin. This division within the community has been a long lasting problem ever since slavery was "abolished". Maureen Peale, the high yellow, rich black girl who went to the local school with Claudia, Frieda and Pecola is a prime example that blacks have come to acknowledge. It seems as if black people of lighter skin have better lives- just like the age old stereotype of blondes having more fun than darker haired females. Well maybe it is better to be lighter because afte...

• Word Count: 495
• Approx Pages: 2