The Bluest EyeToni Morrison

Ideal Image

Lupita Nyong’o Speech

How might this relate to the novel

or “The Black Beauty Myth?”

What characters might have similar feelings about appearance? How do we know?

Black Beauty Myth

Homage to my Hips

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/179615

Clifton Video

http://vimeo.com/36987057

How do we see these ideas reflected within Morrison’s book?

ThemesWomen in poverty

Race relations

Innocence or Purity

Pride

Jealousy

Sex and Shame

Violence

With your group, examine your theme. Find two quotes that are relevant to the theme in this section, and explain why this theme is important. Be prepared to discuss.

Dick and Jane

Why do you think Morison chooses to open each section with words from this primer?

What is significant about the blurring of the sentences?

How do the words of the primer connect to the section?

These primers were educational tools. Who is being educated in this novel, and what is the subject?

The Cat

How might the cat be symbolic?

Why does Pecola like/ notice the cat?

Why do you think Junior’s mom loves the cat so much?

Why is the death of the cat significant?

How does this tie in with the other themes of the novel?

Perspective

We see this section from the point of view of several characters. What does that add to the novel?

Though we see Pecola through the eyes of other characters, the story has not been told from her point of view directly. How does this impact the novel? Why would Morrison make this rhetorical choice?

We also see groups of people lumped together in sweeping descriptions of characteristics, personalities, behaviors, etc. What purpose does this serve?

Blog Reel: Miley Cyrus and Twerking

If there's one thing that bothered her about the fallout, it was the idea that her performance was racist, or a "minstrel show," because, critics argued, she appropriated a dance style common in black culture and used black backup dancers like props. "I don't keep my producers or dancers around 'cause it makes me look cool," she says. "Those aren't my 'accessories.' They're my homies." Meanwhile, she argues, the idea that she's somehow playing black is absurd. "I'm from one of the wealthiest counties in America," she says. "I know what I am. But I also know what I like to listen to. Look at any 20-year-old white girl right now – that's what they're listening to at the club. It's 2013. The gays are getting married, we're all collaborating. I would never think about the color of my dancers, like, 'Ooh, that might be controversial.' What do you mean?" she says with a laugh. "Times are changing. I think there's a generation or two left, and then it's gonna be a whole new world."

Find Out More

http://jezebel.com/miley-cyruss-antics-are-being-encouraged-by-black-peop-1377352058

http://tressiemc.com/2013/08/27/when-your-brown-body-is-a-white-wonderland/