The Bluest Eye by Elaine

The Bluest Eye by Elaine - July 2013 Scholarship Essay

As an English major, reading books is almost entirely of what my education is revolved around. Of course, there are plenty of paper assignments to accompany it. Even though I've easily read a hundred books throughout my college career, there is one that still sticks with me, even as I enter into my final year of college. Toni Morrison is no stranger to the literary field; her books have won numerous awards and very high regards. While it's not uncommon for me to read highly acclaimed books, Morrison's The Bluest Eye has stood out from any other book thus far. Its plot is rather simple, yet as with anything this author writes, there is true wisdom hidden within every single sentence. The story taught me about acceptance, and about true recognition of beauty. While it seems cliche, this book preaches the saying that "beauty is in the eye of its beholder." The significance of this story however, is in its ability to really change a reader's perspective. Not only does it ask you to search society's perspective on race and the perceived notion of beauty, it also forces the reader to delve into his/her own self and do some soul searching. That's the true mark of a great author--creating a curiosity and drive within the reader to search and explore. I learned from the book that a lot of this life is presented at surface level, but to find real value in another human being (including one's self), you have to reach below the surface and look deeper. I had the unique privilege to actually attend an event that celebrated Toni Morrison's literary lifetime. I can honestly say that the event alone really showed how powerful her writing is, and The Bluest Eye was referenced multiple times by authors from all over the world. This novel has exposed the truest character of great writing: its ability to blur all lines of race, ethnicity,  gender, and age. Instead it promotes love as a universal characteristic among us all.