Symbolism in the book; The Bluest eye.
Symbolism in literature is the use of symbols to represent ideas and qualities by creating meanings that are not directly as their literal sense. I other words, it is using an object to represent another to bring out an entirely different meaning that is so much than it can be significant (Morrison 13). Its role in literature is to create an effect by attaching an extra hidden meaning. The document summarizes symbolism in the book as follows;
Blue eyes are one of the first symbols that we find in the novel. The author chose to use blue eyes to represent beauty, happiness, and a better life. The reason why the book is called the ‘bluest” is that it talks about a black girl who admired to have blue eyes like other whites. Innocence is another personality hidden below the blue color. The title, however, tries to explain how the black girl felt about herself as well as how she considered as good (Morrison 46).
Marigold is another symbol used in the novel to represent Claudia and her sister’s health and well-being of Pecola’s baby. If they planted the right words and seeds as well, they would grow into a bountiful harvest. Similarly, if the seeds shrivel, so does the baby’s will(Morison,3). The marigolds which were hostile represent Pecola, who was never raised by her community.
Allegory is another symbol employed by the author for effectiveness. Allegory is where the author introduces a different story in another story to reveal a hidden meaning. Morison begins the novel with an excerpt from Dick and Jane series. Jane and Dick’s parents are black, and therefore the whole homestead is black. Morrison uses the extract many times to bring out some correlation in the situations
Desiring the impossible (motif) is depicted in the story more than once. It first begins with Pecola, who wants to disappear during her parent’s disagreement over the coal. She finds it hard to implement the idea since she cannot make her eyes disappear (Morison 92). The second example is Pauline, who longs for a good life characterized by order and peace. Unfortunately, she cannot escape the miserable life she has together with Cholly. Therefore, she must toss the two realities but unable to get the one she desires.
As explained by the author, Pecola had a feeling of non- existence. She even goes the extra mile of attempting to disappear during her parents’ disagreements. The issue is associated with too much thinking, depression, loss, or being abused by someone. This state of “unbeing” is a unique one, and it serves as a caution to the readers about the impacts of parental abuse and societal negligence (Morison, 157).
Metaphors have been used in the novel to create an understanding between Claudia and the marigolds, which symbolizes Pecola’s baby and later Pecola herself. Claudia uses a metaphor to compare their dropping and planting the marigold seeds into the little section.
Conclusion
From the discussions above, it can be deduced that the Symbols are often used to communicate specific information to the target audience of the piece of writing. A symbol may not necessarily carry the direct meaning but instead has a hidden meaning. Allegories can be used in literature to convey a message efficiently.