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Similes
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Motherly Affection:
In Chapter 1, Claudia explores the relationship between herself, Frieda, and their mother. As a child, Claudia gets sick and throws up on her bed. In a moment of situational irony, her mother reacts unexpectedly:
Later I throw up, and my mother says, “What did you puke on the bed clothes for? Don’t you have sense enough to hold your head out the bed? Now, look what you did. You think I got time for nothing but washing up your puke?”
Readers might expect Claudia's mother to react with sympathy upon realizing that her daughter is sick. Ironically, she does the opposite, blaming Claudia for vomiting and getting angry at Claudia for taking up her time.
This passage reflects on the belittling, dismissive attitudes towards children many adults express in The Bluest Eye. Although certain adults mean well, they nonetheless condescend to children and demean them, treating them as unworthy of attention or regard. According to Claudia's parents and the other adults in her life, children should be seen and not heard—a common cultural sentiment. This philosophy dominates child-rearing at the time in which the novel is set. Morrison deconstructs this philosophy, demonstrating how such treatment dehumanizes children, undermining their sense of self-worth. The adults' treatment of Claudia and Frieda compounds the dehumanization of systemic racism.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Deconstructing Dolls:
In Chapter 1, Claudia discusses her childhood aversion to dolls, expressing the alienation she feels from the concept of motherhood. The passage is a prime example of situational irony:
What was I supposed to do with it? Pretend I was its mother? I had no interest in babies or the concept of motherhood. I was interested only in humans my own age and size, and could not generate any enthusiasm at the prospect of being a mother.
This passage is ironic because it may contradict the expectations of readers who assume that all (or many) little girls love to play with dolls. Morrison's use of irony hinges on a key disconnect between adults and children. Most adults have been socialized to adhere to societal norms, including assumptions about gender roles. Children have yet to experience this socialization in full, and often cannot comprehend why they should fall in line with gender stereotypes. Claudia openly questions the gendered assumptions of adults, much to their chagrin.
In this excerpt, Morrison muses generally on the alienation young Black girls feel from White-centric, patriarchal societal norms. It is crucial to note that in the context of the excerpt, Claudia's doll is White—a fact that furthers her emotional distance from the unwanted toy.
Related Themes:
