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Research on Culture Goods and the Image of Mixed-blood in The Bluest Eye



Author(s)

XIONG Ya-qing

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DOI:10.17265/2159-5836/2023.10.010

University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

The Bluest Eye is Toni Morrison’s maiden work, through which Morrison carried out independent thinking on the question of “What is beauty?” In The Bluest Eye, the image of mixed-blood is characterized as a self-satisfied beautiful girl or lady due to light skin color. However, Morrison shatters their proud aesthetic edifice through satirical techniques. Firstly, this paper starts with the analysis of Shirley Temple on the blue-and-white cup and Mary Jane on candy wrapper as culture goods, in order to reveal the aesthetic standards of the mainstream. Next, through close reading, this paper, taking the example of a high-yellow child Maureen Peal, and the graceful sugar-brown lady Geraldine, makes deep analysis on their sense of superiority and artistic characteristics, and aims to better understand Morrison’s satirical techniques and interpretation of beauty.

The Bluest Eye, culture goods, the image of mixed-blood, aesthetic standards, satire

Journal of Literature and Art Studies, October 2023, Vol. 13, No. 10, 785-788