Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye - Analysis of Language, Narrative, and Social Critique

Explore a thought-provoking lecture on Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" as part of Yale University's "The American Novel Since 1945" course. Delve into Morrison's unique perspective as an African-American woman writer and her approach to language as a site of both power and violence. Examine how Morrison's narrative techniques recuperate oppressed voices while navigating the complexities of breaking silence. Analyze the novel's form, character development, and themes, including the construction of social personas and the dangers of beautiful yet poisonous fictions. Investigate Morrison's politics in the context of the 1960s, her use of complicated sympathy, and the role of negativity in driving the narrative. Reflect on the intersections of reading, rape, and race within the literary canon. This 50-minute lecture offers a comprehensive exploration of Morrison's groundbreaking work and its significance in American literature.