Final answer:
Claudia is the character in 'The Bluest Eye' who first comes to Pecola's defense when she is bullied. This incident underscores key themes like friendship and bravery in Toni Morrison's novel.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, when Pecola is being bullied by some classmates on the playground, it is Claudia who is the first to stand up in her defense.
Claudia's actions demonstrate her courage and compassion, traits that set her apart from many of the other characters in the book, who are often depicted as being absorbed by their own struggles and insecurities.
Morrison uses this moment to highlight themes of friendship, bravery, and the complexities of growing up in a society where racial and aesthetic standards create barriers and challenges for young African American girls.