Racism in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye

Abstract

This thesis examines the presentation of racism in Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, focusing on how internalised, interpersonal, institutional and structural forms of racism intersect to shape identity and self-perception. Set in mid 20th century Ohio, Morrison’s narrative exposes the destructive power of Eurocentric beauty standards, revealing whiteness as both a social and psychological weapon. Drawing on critical race theory, postcolonial thought, and historical analyses, this study situates the novel within the legacy of slavery and the cultural construction of whiteness. Through close textual analyses, it explores how systemic oppression infiltrates everyday interactions, fractures Black selfhood , and perpetuates cycles of exclusion and self- loathing. Ultimately, this work argues that The Bluest Eye functions not only as a poignant literary portrayal of a young girl’s tragedy but also as a profound critique of the enduring racial ideologies that continue to shape beauty, belonging, and humanity in American society.