Suggested Guiding Questions to Shape Your Argument

• In what ways does Pecola's fixation on blue eyes symbolize her internalized racism?
• How do the novel's multiple narrators and non-linear structure emphasize themes of fragmented identity?
• What impact do adult figures (e.g., Cholly, Pauline, Geraldine) have in either upholding or challenging these harmful standards?
• How does Morrison encourage readers to critique the societal context that leads to Pecola's tragedy instead of blaming Pecola herself?

Requirements

• Minimum 4–6 paragraphs (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion)
• Include at least three direct quotations from the text
• Engage with Morrison's use of at least two literary devices
• Avoid plot summary; concentrate on analysis and argumentation

Your essay should:

• Introduce a clear, arguable thesis that discusses how Pecola's longing for blue eyes serves as a symbol of internalized racism and self-hatred.
• Develop at least three body paragraphs, each focused on a different piece of textual evidence (for instance, the Dick-and-Jane primer, Pecola's fixation on Shirley Temple, the marigold motif, or the novel's overall structure).
• Analyze Morrison's literary techniques — such as point of view, imagery, symbolism, and structure — and explain how they support her main argument about race, beauty, and trauma.
• Conclude by reflecting on the larger social critique Morrison presents: What does Pecola's story reveal about the dangers of a society that enforces a singular, exclusive standard of beauty?

Guiding Claim to Argue

> Morrison uses Pecola Breedlove's heartbreaking wish for blue eyes to reveal how internalized systemic racism can obliterate individual identity — contending that the real violence endured by Pecola is not just personal, but deeply cultural and societal.

Length

4–6 paragraphs (approximately 800–1,200 words)

Format

MLA or as directed by your teacher

Due Date

_______________

Your essay should:

• Present a clear, arguable thesis that takes a stance on how Morrison develops this critique
• Analyze at least two or three specific excerpts or scenes from the novel to support your argument
• Reflect on how narrative structure, point of view, or imagery enhance Morrison's message
• Recognize and engage with a counterargument or complicating viewpoint (e.g., the influence of community complicity, or the limitations of individual agency)