The Bluest Eye Setting
Literature is said to be timeless, however if a novel would have been written in a different place than its original, does this mean that the entire novel would be different? This can be considered in The Bluest Eye as it is set in The United States in the year of 1941. A year full of major events that put a mark on the U.S. history. However, if the novel were to be written in a different place then would it look differently than its original or would the themes, motifs and symbols of the novel remain unaltered? Were The Bluest Eye to be written and set in pre-World War II Europe, Morrison’s setting, symbolism and climactic moments would all be adapted to this different context.
During the time period of 1941, African Americans were still facing major discrimination and were perceived inferior to other citizens United
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This can be clearly seen by Claude, “Frieda and she had a loving conversation about how cu-ute Shirley Temple was. I couldn’t join them in their adoration because I hated Shirley” (Morrison, 13). The hatred shown towards Shirley Temple only further proves the jealousy that both the characters Claudia and Pecola have towards the caucasian and blue eyed people. The idealization of being a white-skinned girl with blue eyes would not have changed if the setting were to be in Europe as Hitler had those in favor if they fulfilled his beauty standards. However, even though there was not an ideal person, there was an ideal character which was presented by Hitler. His vision of the ideal woman was one who stayed at home to take care of the children, cooked and cleaned. In addition, Hitler had several rules put forth against them such as: not able to work, not able to wear trousers or makeup. All in all, life as a women in Nazi Europe was not pleasant because of the limitation of basic rights which increased the
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