Question

Choose to focus on Claudia or Pecola. Write a paragraph that ICEs two quotes from The Bluest Eye to complete an intersectional analysis of how Pecola or Claudia’s life is shaped by the intersection of her race and gender. You should use your analysis of two quotes to create specific debatable thesis about how racism and sexism shape that character. Do not forget to use MLA parenthetical citations.

Each quote should allow you to think about how both sexism and racism simultaneously shape that character’s experience.
● Try to ICE one quote from Winter #1-2 and one from Autumn #1-3
● Make sure your analysis of each quote explores both racism and sexism
● If your recollection of intersectionality is fuzzy, revisit Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED Talk,
The Urgency of Intersectionality

Answer 1

For this analysis, I will focus on Claudia, one of the main characters in The Bluest Eye. Throughout the novel, Claudia is subjected to both racial and gender-based oppression, which significantly shapes her life and experiences.

One quote that illustrates how Claudia's race and gender intersect to shape her life is: "We were not pretty. We were not ugly. We were ignored" (Morrison Winter #1-2). This quote shows how Claudia and her sister Frieda are constantly overlooked and dismissed due to their race and gender. As black girls living in a white-dominated society, they are not afforded the same level of attention and validation as white girls. They are not seen as attractive or desirable, and are instead marginalized and invisibilized. This quote demonstrates how Claudia's experience of racial and gender-based oppression is interconnected, as she is not only discriminated against because of her race, but also because of her gender.

Another quote that reveals the intersectional nature of Claudia's oppression is: "I really knew what I was talking about when I said I hated her. But I couldn't tell him that. I couldn't tell him that I hated her because she was white, and I hated myself because I was black" (Morrison Autumn #1-3). This quote shows how Claudia internalizes the racism that surrounds her, and how it leads to self-hatred. As a black girl, Claudia is constantly bombarded with messages that tell her that white beauty is superior to black beauty. This internalized racism is compounded by the fact that Claudia is also a girl, and is therefore further marginalized and devalued in a society that is deeply sexist. This quote illustrates how Claudia's life is shaped by the intersection of her race and gender, as she experiences both racism and sexism in a way that is unique to her identity.

Overall, Claudia's life in The Bluest Eye is significantly shaped by the intersection of her race and gender. She is subjected to both racial and gender-based oppression, which leads to feelings of self-hatred and marginalization. This intersectional analysis suggests that Claudia's experiences are a result of the interconnected systems of racism and sexism that she navigates on a daily basis.

Step-by-step explanation: