1940’s Ohio was a vastly different time for the African American society. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison envelops the life of Pecola Breedlove, a teenage black girl who lives a challenging life of abuse and prejudice. Pedophilia and incest are controversial topics covered by Ms. Morrison’s novel as the promiscuous and filthy events of Pecola’s life are revealed. In Pecola’s mind, the challenges of life can be overcome by having the blue eyes of a white girl; an unrealistic and superficial hope. Throughout the book, Pecola’s mindset hung on to the belief that “if her eyes, those eyes that held the pictures and knew the sights- if those eyes of hers were different this to say, beautiful, she herself would be different” (46), she would be accepted, she would be loved.
The Bluest Eye set in 1941 Lorain Ohio, follows a group of African American girls who struggle with abuse, prejudice, beauty, and sexual assault. Their journey together is told as the seasons change throughout that dark year. Each member attempts to overcome adversity in superficial, spiritual and other unorthodox ways while still trying to maintain sanity. A character of great inner struggle and external conflict is the antagonist, Cholly Breedlove. As the father of Pecola his character develops a deep psychological background from the past events of his life to the present. The author attempts to depict the villain in an understanding way, regardless of his participation in unforgivable acts, of rape or incest. Mr. Breedlove, along with other characters created by Ms. Morrison breathes life into such characters as Cholly or Pecola with prodigious details reveal both positive and negative motives.
The Bluest Eye endeavors to portray the antagonist in a graphic, somewhat controversial way. The description of a family’s “coming of age” is geared towards female readers, although this novel is not for those lacking maturity. Feelings of anger, remorse, hope, and helplessness add to the books unpredictability of the controversial plot.