DIP: 18.02.002/20240903
DOI: 10.25215/2455/0903002
Abstract
Toni Morrison is possibly the most highly proficient novelist in the history of African-American literature who astutely describes various aspects of human life. Many writers are eager to convey the world’s brutality, but Morrison distinguishes herself and her exquisiteness by conveying the hope and beauty underlying this brutality. The Bluest Eye and Beloved are Morrison’s remarkable novels in which she portrays how personal and communal relationships are shaped by historical trauma, systemic racism, and societal expectations. In The Bluest Eye, the disconnection stems from internalized racism and the longing for an unattainable ideal of beauty, leading to the protagonist’s tragic alienation. Meanwhile, Beloved explores the haunting effects of slavery, where connections are both a source of survival and pain, manifesting in complex familial bonds and the lingering presence of the past. By juxtaposing these novels, this study reveals Morrison’s profound commentary on the paradox of disconnection in connection, illustrating the multifaceted impact of historical and cultural forces on individual identity and relationships within the African-American community.
The author(s) appreciates all those who participated in the study and helped to facilitate the research process.
The author(s) declared no conflict of interest.
ISSN 2348-5396
