Toni Toni MorrisonMorrison

Life: Life: Toni Morrison (born Toni Morrison (born Chloe Ardelia Wofford on Chloe Ardelia Wofford on February 18, 1931) is a February 18, 1931) is a Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning American Prize-winning American author, editor, and author, editor, and professor. Her novels are professor. Her novels are known for their epic themes, known for their epic themes, vivid dialogue, and richly vivid dialogue, and richly detailed black characters. detailed black characters. Among her best known Among her best known novels are novels are The Bluest EyeThe Bluest Eye, , Song of SolomonSong of Solomon and and BelovedBeloved..

Toni Morrison was born in Toni Morrison was born in Lorain, Ohio to George and Lorain, Ohio to George and Ramah (Willis) Wofford, the Ramah (Willis) Wofford, the second of four children in a second of four children in a working-class family. As a working-class family. As a child, Morrison read child, Morrison read constantly; among her constantly; among her favorite authors were Jane favorite authors were Jane Austen and Leo Tolstoy. Austen and Leo Tolstoy. Morrison's father told her Morrison's father told her numerous folktales of the numerous folktales of the black community (a method black community (a method of storytelling that would of storytelling that would later work its way into later work its way into Morrison's writings). Morrison's writings).

In 1949 Morrison entered In 1949 Morrison entered Howard University, where Howard University, where she received a B.A. in she received a B.A. in English in 1953. She then English in 1953. She then earned a Master of Arts earned a Master of Arts degree in English from degree in English from Cornell University in Cornell University in 1955, for which she wrote 1955, for which she wrote a thesis on suicide in the a thesis on suicide in the works of William works of William Faulkner and Virginia Faulkner and Virginia Woolf. Woolf.

After graduation, After graduation, Morrison became an Morrison became an English instructor at English instructor at Texas Southern Texas Southern University in Houston, University in Houston, Texas (1955–57), then Texas (1955–57), then returned to Howard to returned to Howard to teach English. She teach English. She became a member of became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Sorority, Inc.

In 1958 she married Harold In 1958 she married Harold Morrison, a Jamaican Morrison, a Jamaican architect and fellow faculty architect and fellow faculty member at Howard member at Howard University. They had two University. They had two children, Harold and Slade, children, Harold and Slade, and divorced in 1964. After and divorced in 1964. After the divorce she moved to the divorce she moved to Syracuse, New York, where Syracuse, New York, where she worked as a textbook she worked as a textbook editor. A year and a half editor. A year and a half later she went to work as an later she went to work as an editor at the New York City editor at the New York City headquarters of Random headquarters of Random House. House.

As an editor Morrison As an editor Morrison played an important role played an important role in bringing black in bringing black literature into the literature into the mainstream, editing mainstream, editing books by authors such as books by authors such as Toni Cade Bambara, Toni Cade Bambara, Angela Davis, and Gayl Angela Davis, and Gayl Jones. Jones.

Morrison taught English at Morrison taught English at two branches of the State two branches of the State University of New York. In University of New York. In 1984 she was appointed to 1984 she was appointed to an Albert Schweitzer chair an Albert Schweitzer chair at the University at Albany, at the University at Albany, The State University of New The State University of New York. From 1989 until her York. From 1989 until her retirement in 2006, retirement in 2006, Morrison held the Robert F. Morrison held the Robert F. Goheen Chair in the Goheen Chair in the Humanities at Princeton Humanities at Princeton University. University.

Though based in the Though based in the Creative Writing Program, Creative Writing Program, Morrison did not regularly Morrison did not regularly offer writing workshops to offer writing workshops to students after the late students after the late 1990s, a fact that earned 1990s, a fact that earned her some criticism. Rather, her some criticism. Rather, she has conceived and she has conceived and developed the prestigious developed the prestigious Princeton AtelierPrinceton Atelier, a program , a program that brings together that brings together talented students with talented students with critically acclaimed, world-critically acclaimed, world-famous artists. famous artists.

Together the students and Together the students and the artists produce works of the artists produce works of art that are presented to the art that are presented to the public after a semester of public after a semester of collaboration. In her collaboration. In her position at Princeton, position at Princeton, Morrison used her insights Morrison used her insights to encourage not merely to encourage not merely new and emerging writers, new and emerging writers, but artists working to but artists working to develop new forms of art develop new forms of art through interdisciplinary through interdisciplinary play and cooperation.play and cooperation.

At its 1979 At its 1979 commencement commencement ceremonies, Barnard ceremonies, Barnard College awarded her its College awarded her its highest honor, the highest honor, the Barnard Medal of Barnard Medal of Distinction. Oxford Distinction. Oxford University awarded her an University awarded her an honorary Doctor of honorary Doctor of Letters degree in June Letters degree in June 2005 2005

In May 2010, Morrison In May 2010, Morrison appeared at Pen World appeared at Pen World Voices for a conversation Voices for a conversation with Marlene van Niekerk with Marlene van Niekerk and Kwame Anthony Appiah and Kwame Anthony Appiah about South African about South African literature, and specifically, literature, and specifically, van Niekerk's novel, van Niekerk's novel, Agaat.Agaat.She is currently a member She is currently a member of the editorial board of of the editorial board of The The NationNation magazine. magazine.

Political Viewpoints: Political Viewpoints: In writing about the In writing about the impeachment in 1998, impeachment in 1998, Morrison wrote that, Morrison wrote that, since Whitewater, Bill since Whitewater, Bill Clinton had been Clinton had been mistreated because of his mistreated because of his "Blackness":"Blackness":

““Years ago, in the middle Years ago, in the middle of the Whitewater of the Whitewater investigation, one heard investigation, one heard the first murmurs: white the first murmurs: white skin notwithstanding, this skin notwithstanding, this is our first black is our first black President. Blacker than President. Blacker than any actual black person any actual black person who could ever be elected who could ever be elected in our children’s lifetime. in our children’s lifetime.

After all, Clinton displays After all, Clinton displays almost every trope of almost every trope of blackness: single-parent blackness: single-parent household, born poor, household, born poor, working-class, working-class, saxophone-playing, saxophone-playing, McDonald’s-and-junk-McDonald’s-and-junk-food-loving boy from food-loving boy from Arkansas.”Arkansas.”

In the context of the 2008 In the context of the 2008 Democratic Primary Democratic Primary campaign, Morrison campaign, Morrison stated to stated to TimeTime magazine: magazine: "People misunderstood "People misunderstood that phrase. I was that phrase. I was deploring the way in deploring the way in which President Clinton which President Clinton was being treated, vis-à-was being treated, vis-à-vis the sex scandal that vis the sex scandal that was surrounding him. was surrounding him.

I said he was being I said he was being treated like a black on treated like a black on the street, already guilty, the street, already guilty, already a perp. I have no already a perp. I have no idea what his real idea what his real instincts are, in terms of instincts are, in terms of race."race."

In the Democratic In the Democratic primary contest for the primary contest for the 2008 presidential race, 2008 presidential race, Morrison endorsed Morrison endorsed Senator Barack Obama Senator Barack Obama over Senator Hillary over Senator Hillary Clinton, though Clinton, though expressing admiration expressing admiration and respect for the latter. and respect for the latter.

WorksWorks

Novels:Novels:The Bluest EyeThe Bluest Eye (1970) (1970)

SulaSula (1974) (1974) Song of SolomonSong of Solomon (1977) (1977)

Tar BabyTar Baby (1981) (1981) BelovedBeloved (1987) (1987) JazzJazz (1992) (1992) ParadiseParadise (1999) (1999) LoveLove (2003) (2003) A MercyA Mercy (2008) (2008)

Children's literature:Children's literature: (with Slade Morrison) (with Slade Morrison)The Big BoxThe Big Box (1999) (1999) The Book of Mean PeopleThe Book of Mean People (2002) (2002)

Short fiction:Short fiction:"Recitatif" (1983) "Recitatif" (1983)

Plays:Plays:Dreaming EmmettDreaming Emmett (performed 1986) (performed 1986)

Awards:Awards:1977 National Book Critics 1977 National Book Critics Circle Award for Circle Award for Song of Song of SolomonSolomon 1977 American Academy 1977 American Academy and Institute of Arts and and Institute of Arts and Letters Award Letters Award 1987-88 Robert F. Kennedy 1987-88 Robert F. Kennedy Book AwardBook Award1988 American Book Award 1988 American Book Award for for BelovedBeloved

1988 Anisfield-Wolf Book 1988 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in Race Relations for Award in Race Relations for BelovedBeloved1988 Pulitzer Prize for 1988 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for Beloved Fiction for Beloved 1989 MLA Commonwealth 1989 MLA Commonwealth Award in Literature Award in Literature 1993 Nobel Prize for 1993 Nobel Prize for Literature Literature 1993 Commander of the Arts 1993 Commander of the Arts and Letters, Paris and Letters, Paris 1994 Condorcet Medal, 1994 Condorcet Medal, Paris Paris

1994 1994 Pearl Buck AwardPearl Buck Award 1994 Rhegium Julii Prize 1994 Rhegium Julii Prize for Literature for Literature 1996 1996 Jefferson LectureJefferson Lecture 1996 1996 National Book FoundatioNational Book Foundation's Medal of Distinguishen's Medal of Distinguished Contribution to Americad Contribution to American Lettersn Letters 2000 2000 National Humanities MedNational Humanities Medalal

In 1993 Morrison was In 1993 Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her citation in Literature. Her citation reads: Toni Morrison, reads: Toni Morrison, "who in novels "who in novels characterized by visionary characterized by visionary force and poetic import, force and poetic import, gives life to an essential gives life to an essential aspect of American aspect of American reality." reality."

Although her novels typically Although her novels typically concentrate on black women, concentrate on black women, Morrison does not identify her Morrison does not identify her works as feminist. She has works as feminist. She has stated that she thinks "it's off-stated that she thinks "it's off-putting to some readers, who putting to some readers, who may feel that I'm involved in may feel that I'm involved in writing some kind of feminist writing some kind of feminist tract. I don't subscribe to tract. I don't subscribe to patriarchy, and I don't think it patriarchy, and I don't think it should be substituted with should be substituted with matriarchy. I think it's a matriarchy. I think it's a question of equitable access, question of equitable access, and opening doors to all sorts and opening doors to all sorts of things."of things."

The Bluest The Bluest EyeEye

The Bluest EyeThe Bluest Eye is a 1970 is a 1970 novel by American author novel by American author Toni Morrison. It is Toni Morrison. It is Morrison's first novel, Morrison's first novel, written while Morrison was written while Morrison was teaching at Howard teaching at Howard University and was raising University and was raising her two sons on her own. her two sons on her own. The story is about a year in The story is about a year in the life of a young black girl the life of a young black girl in Lorain, Ohio named in Lorain, Ohio named Pecola. It takes place Pecola. It takes place against the backdrop of against the backdrop of America's Midwest as well America's Midwest as well as in the years following The as in the years following The Great Depression. Great Depression.

The Bluest EyeThe Bluest Eye is told from is told from the perspective of Claudia the perspective of Claudia MacTeer as a child and an MacTeer as a child and an adult, as well as from a third adult, as well as from a third person omniscient person omniscient viewpoint. Because of the viewpoint. Because of the controversial nature of the controversial nature of the book, which deals with book, which deals with racism, incest, and child racism, incest, and child molestation, there have molestation, there have been numerous attempts to been numerous attempts to ban it from schools and ban it from schools and libraries. libraries.

Plot summary:Plot summary:

Claudia and Frieda MacTeer Claudia and Frieda MacTeer live in Ohio with their live in Ohio with their parents. The MacTeer family parents. The MacTeer family takes two other people into takes two other people into their home, Mr. Henry and their home, Mr. Henry and Pecola. Pecola is a troubled Pecola. Pecola is a troubled young girl with a hard life. young girl with a hard life. Her parents are constantly Her parents are constantly fighting, both physically and fighting, both physically and verbally. verbally.

Pecola is continually being Pecola is continually being told and reminded of what told and reminded of what an “ugly” girl she is, thus an “ugly” girl she is, thus fueling her desire to be fueling her desire to be caucasian with blue eyes. caucasian with blue eyes. Throughout the novel it is Throughout the novel it is revealed that not only has revealed that not only has Pecola had a life full of Pecola had a life full of hatred and hardships, but hatred and hardships, but her parents have as well. her parents have as well. Pecola’s mother, Pauline Pecola’s mother, Pauline only feels alive and happy only feels alive and happy when she is working for a when she is working for a rich white family. rich white family.

Her father, Cholly, is a Her father, Cholly, is a drunk who was left with his drunk who was left with his aunt when he was young and aunt when he was young and ran away to find his father, ran away to find his father, who wanted nothing to do who wanted nothing to do with him. Both Pauline and with him. Both Pauline and Cholly eventually lost the Cholly eventually lost the love they once had for one love they once had for one another. While Pecola is another. While Pecola is doing dishes, her doing dishes, her intoxicated father rapes her. intoxicated father rapes her. His motives are unclear and His motives are unclear and confusing, seemingly a confusing, seemingly a combination of both love combination of both love and hate. and hate.

Cholly flees after the second Cholly flees after the second time he rapes Pecola, time he rapes Pecola, leaving her pregnant. The leaving her pregnant. The entire town of Lorain turns entire town of Lorain turns against her, except Claudia against her, except Claudia and Frieda. In the end and Frieda. In the end Pecola’s child is born Pecola’s child is born prematurely and dies. prematurely and dies. Claudia and Frieda give up Claudia and Frieda give up the money they had been the money they had been saving and plant flower saving and plant flower seeds in hopes that if the seeds in hopes that if the flowers bloom, Pecola's baby flowers bloom, Pecola's baby will live; the marigolds will live; the marigolds never bloom.never bloom.

In the afterword, In the afterword, Morrison explains that Morrison explains that she had met a man named she had met a man named Terry Owens from a down Terry Owens from a down south area. Morrison south area. Morrison knew this man while he knew this man while he had children of his own. had children of his own. He was a very nice but He was a very nice but harmful man and didn't harmful man and didn't take any crap from no take any crap from no one. one.

Morrison explains in a Morrison explains in a later book that Terry later book that Terry Owens was a veteran from Owens was a veteran from the Vietnam war. " I was a the Vietnam war. " I was a very strong minded man very strong minded man coming from a home coming from a home where I hadn't learn to where I hadn't learn to read or working for a man read or working for a man that paid nothing much that paid nothing much than a dollar." than a dollar."

Ideas of beauty, particularly Ideas of beauty, particularly those that relate to racial those that relate to racial characteristics, are a major characteristics, are a major theme in this book. The title theme in this book. The title refers to Pecola's wish that refers to Pecola's wish that her eyes would turn blue. her eyes would turn blue. Claudia is given a white Claudia is given a white baby doll to play with and is baby doll to play with and is constantly told how lovely it constantly told how lovely it is. Insults to physical is. Insults to physical appearance are often given appearance are often given in racial terms; a light in racial terms; a light skinned student named skinned student named Maureen is shown favoritism Maureen is shown favoritism at school. at school.

There is a contrast between There is a contrast between the world shown in the the world shown in the cinema and the one in which cinema and the one in which Pauline is a servant, as well Pauline is a servant, as well as the WASP society and the as the WASP society and the existence the main existence the main characters live in. Most characters live in. Most chapters' titles are extracts chapters' titles are extracts from a Dick and Jane from a Dick and Jane reading book, presenting a reading book, presenting a happy white family. This happy white family. This family is contrasted with family is contrasted with Pecola's existence.Pecola's existence.

Characters:Characters:Pecola Breedlove - The Pecola Breedlove - The protagonist of the novel, protagonist of the novel, a poor black girl who a poor black girl who believes she is ugly believes she is ugly because she and her because she and her community base their community base their ideals of beauty on ideals of beauty on "whiteness". The title "whiteness". The title The The Bluest EyeBluest Eye is based on is based on Pecola's fervent wishes Pecola's fervent wishes for beautiful blue eyes. for beautiful blue eyes.

She is rarely developed She is rarely developed during the story, which is during the story, which is purposely done to purposely done to underscore the actions of underscore the actions of the other characters. Her the other characters. Her insanity at the end of the insanity at the end of the novel is her only way to novel is her only way to escape the world where escape the world where she cannot be beautiful she cannot be beautiful and to get the blue eyes and to get the blue eyes she desires from the she desires from the beginning of the novel. beginning of the novel.

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