Longing for Love

"It's a backstabbing world honey, just lean your head back"
       --Augustana, "Meet You There"

"It had occurred to Pecola some time ago that if her eyes, those eyes that held the pictures, and knew the sights-if those eyes of hers were different, that is to say, beautiful, she herself would be different. Her teeth were good, and at least her nose was not big and flat like some of those who were thought so cute. If she looked different, beautiful, maybe Cholly would be different, and Mrs. Breedlove too. Maybe they'd say, 'Why, look at pretty-eyed Pecola. We mustn't do bad things in front of those pretty eyes'" (Morrison page 46).

Pecola believes that if her eye color changed to blue, her entire life would change. Friends, acquaintances, and family would treat her differently. She wants her situation to change because she has dwelled in a life of destitution and hatred. Pecola feels as if something is missing. This something, is love. Morrison states the Breedlove's house is just a "store", implying that soothing warmth of family love is absent from their home. Ultimately, Pecola wants to feel loved, and believes that blue eyes would grant it. Her drive to be beautiful is connected to her wish to belong, in both black and white society. She is unwanted by students and family because she is "ugly", so she associates beauty with belonging. If people perceive her as beautiful, because of her eyes, then she will maintain an identity of elegance. Pecola's only way of finding universal love is to conform to white beauty ideals.

This passage of The Bluest Eye is filled with many strong emotions. The audience obtains a true understanding of the reasons behind Pecola's wish to have blue eyes. This makes the entire book worthwhile because Pecola cannot be misunderstood, and it is simpler to follow her path of destruction. Morrison repeats the words "beautiful" and "different" to emphasize that Pecola wants to be beautiful in order to have a different identity. Not only would redefined beauty change the actions of those around her, but it would increase the amount of passion she obtains from society. Her mindset revolves around the beauty she lacks, but Pecola's heart is the apex of beauty. She still learns to love when everything and everyone around her decides to hate.