Write a feminist critique of the novel The Bluest Eye. It should be 2-3 pages in length and use MLA formatting and documentation. Only use the text The Bluest Eye; secondary sources are not allowed. I am interested in how you made meaning of the novel. You will upload a word document. Take note of the guidelines below:
According to Barbara Smith, a Black feminist critique of a work would consider some or all of the following elements:
Features black woman-identified-women (in other words, black women who enjoy the company of other women)
Exposes the contradictions of supposedly “normal life”—support of patriarchal values
Posits women as central figures
Portrays women positively
Depicts women as having pivotal relationships with one another.
May or may not feature women as lovers
Write a Black feminist critique of the novel The Bluest Eye using select elements above. One way to approach it is to ask the question, What elements of the novel would define it as a Black feminist work?
The answer to the question will likely be your thesis statement. As a review, your essay should contain an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. I’ve outlined the structure below:
I. Introduction
A. Background Discussion of the Topic
B. A Summary of the Novel
C. The Thesis Statement
1. It should be a declarative statement–absolutely no announcements
2. It should be a three-point parallel statement: For example, The Bluest Eye is a Black feminist work because of its focus on a Black female character, its focus on pivotal relationships among women, and its critique of what passes for a “normal life” in America.
3. It should be clear, limiting, and debatable (not everyone would agree with your assertion)
II. Body
A. Body Paragraph #1 addresses the focus on the female character (Pecola or Claudia).
B. Body Paragraph #2 addresses the important relationships among women characters in teh novel.
C. Body Paragraph #3 addresses some aspect of the American dream that clashes with the reality of the characters in the novel.
III. Conclusion
A. Restate (in different words) your thesis statement (remove the three points).
B. Create full sentences with the three points.
C. Talk about implications of your discussion
D. End with a final thought.
A couple of notes:
The summary of the novel should be presented in the introduction. DO NOT retell the story in the body.
Use quotations from the text to support the points you make in each of the body paragraphs.
Avoid questions. I want to see what you think. Questions often work as fillers without substance.
