Lesson 24 | The Bluest Eye | 9th Grade English

Objective

Analyze Morrison’s purpose in including this scene at this point in the text.

Readings and Materials

Book: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison pp. 161 – 163

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Target Task

Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved

Writing Prompt

What emotions does Morrison intend to evoke in her reader in this scene? Explain.

In the introduction, Morrison tells the reader that this will happen and that the how is the important part. Why is the “how” important?

How does this scene develop the theme of power/powerlessness? Beauty/ugliness? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

In which of the lines does Morrison let the reader know that Pecola will be raped by her own father?
"Our innocence and faith were no more productive than his lust or despair". What does the word despair mean in this sentence?
Turn to page 131. Between pages 131 and 161, we, the readers, have learned much about Cholly Breedlove. Look back through your annotations and choose two quotations that best show that Cholly is an individual who has experienced despair in his lifetime.
In what ways has Cholly's character been shaped by despair?
In what ways has Pecola's life already been shaped by Cholly's own despair?
What has Cholly done?
How does Morrison show Cholly's mixed emotions about what he has done?
How does this one horrific act show Cholly's deep despair and confusion? (It is possible that Cholly confused Pecola with his wife when she was young-re-read p. 160. It is also a recreation of the horror of his own first sexual encounter.)
How are we, as readers, meant to feel toward Cholly here? (repulsed, horrified)
What might be Morrison's purpose for including the pages about Cholly's childhood immediately before this scene? (To show his humanity. NOT to excuse this act, but to remind us that he is not a monster; he is a human whose experiences have shaped and molded him into who he is-a drunken, self-absorbed, abusive, rapist. Is she blaming society?)
Why is it significant that it is Pecola who is raped? What do we know of Pecola? (She is considered ugly, is abused, has no self-esteem, desperately wants to be loved, is not shown love by her family or by society.)
How is Pecola's life altered even further by Cholly's despair?

Lesson 23

Lesson 25

Lesson Map

“What Do We Do with a Variation?”
“The Eye of the Beholder”

Explain how a society’s reaction to difference impacts the individuals in that society.

The Bluest Eye — "Dick and Jane" epigraph

Explain Morrison’s purpose for beginning her novel with an excerpt from the Dick and Jane stories.

Explain how the author’s decision to alter the excerpt helps to preview the theme of the novel.

The Bluest Eye
“Toni Morrison Biography”

Examine Morrison’s use of seeds and flowers as symbols, and to explain how she uses them to convey meaning in the Introduction.

The Bluest Eye pp. 9 – 16

Explain how Morrison characterizes the narrator and the MacTeer family.

The Bluest Eye pp. 16 – 18 — close reading (end before “We had fun…”)

Examine Morrison’s use of metaphor and simile to introduce characters in this chapter. They will also be able to juxtapose the author’s introduction of Pecola with that of other characters and infer the author’s purpose.

The Bluest Eye pp. 19 – 23

Explain what Claudia’s treatment of the white dolls reveals about Claudia.

The Bluest Eye pp. 23 – 27
“How an Experiment with Dolls ...”

Summarize the central idea of the article, “How an Experiment With Dolls Helped Lead to School Integration" and compare these findings with the narrator’s reaction to her own doll.

The Bluest Eye pp. 27 – 32

Explain how the author develops the themes of powerlessness and love in these pages.

The Bluest Eye pp. 33 – 37

Explain the impact of the author’s choice of structure and narration.

The Bluest Eye pp. 38 – 47

Explain Pecola’s motivations for desiring blue eyes.

The Bluest Eye pp. 47 – 58

Explain how Morrison uses symbolism to convey theme in this chapter.

The Bluest Eye pp. 61 – 69

Trace the characterization of Maureen Peal and explain how her character develops the themes of beauty and racism.

The Bluest Eye pp. 80 – 93
The Migration Series

Analyze Morrison’s characterization of Geraldine and Junior.

Review

Discuss some of the major themes and events of the text in order to prepare for the mid-unit assessment.

Writing

Craft an essay in response to the prompt.

The Bluest Eye pp. 97 – 104

Analyze the juxtaposition of the “Spring” title and the events of the chapter. Students will be able to analyze the interaction between the girls and the Maginot Line.

The Bluest Eye pp. 105 – 109

Explain how Morrison uses the motif of houses and homes to develop the themes of the novel.

The Bluest Eye pp. 110 – 121

Explain how Pauline Breedlove became the mother who abuses her daughter so mercilessly.

The Bluest Eye pp. 121 – 131

Trace the symbol of dreams as it is used in this chapter.

The Bluest Eye pp. 132 – 142

Explain how the structure of the novel contributes to the plot and theme.

Gather evidence of Morrison’s characterization of Cholly’s early life.

“What it Means to Be a Man”

Read an informational text and uncover the central idea of the article.

The Bluest Eye pp. 143 – 153

Explain how the events of this chapter develop the themes of power/powerlessness and beauty/love.

The Bluest Eye pp. 154 – 161 — Top of page

Analyze what happens to Cholly when he meets his father, and to explain in what way Cholly is “free” and not free in these pages.

The Bluest Eye pp. 161 – 163

Analyze Morrison’s purpose in including this scene at this point in the text.

The Bluest Eye pp. 164 – 175

Analyze Morrison’s characterization of Soaphead Church and explain how it reveals the themes of beauty and racism.

The Bluest Eye pp. 187 – 192
“Between the World and Me”

Explain how Morrison develops the symbolism of seeds and seasons in this chapter of the text.

Summarize the central idea of an excerpt of the article.

The Bluest Eye pp. 193 – 206

Analyze the impact that racism had on Pecola Breedlove.

“Harlem”
The Bluest Eye

Analyze the poem “Harlem” and compare its theme to the themes represented in the novel.

Review

Review for the unit exam by having a class discussion on the major themes and events of the novel.

Assessment

The Bluest Eye

Objective

Readings and Materials

Target Task

Writing Prompt

Key Questions

Lesson Map

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