The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Closely read the following passage from Toni Morrison’s ​The Bluest Eye:​ “But their ugliness was unique. No one could have convinced them that they were not relentlessly and aggressively ugly… You looked at them and wondered why they were so ugly. Then you realized that it came from conviction, their conviction. It was as though some mysterious, all-knowing master had given each one a cloak of ugliness to wear, and they had each accepted it without question. The master had said, “You are ugly people. They had looked about themselves and saw nothing to contradict the statement; saw, in fact, support for it leaning at them from every billboard, every movie, every glance. “Yes,” they had said. “You are right.” And they took the ugliness in their hands, threw it as a mantle over them, and went about the world with it” (pp. 38-39). Prompt:​Why do the Breedloves view themselves as ugly? Are they physically ugly, or does their ugliness have some other, non-physical, source? First, develop a clear and thoughtful claim (thesis statement) that directly answers the question. Then, write a coherent and well organized essay in which you support your ideas using direct quotes and observations from the text. Guidelines: ■ Be sure to meet the length requirement of 2-3 pages, double-spaced. Failing to meet the requirement of at least 2 pages will result in an automatic full letter grade drop (for example, A to B). Please do not exceed 3 pages. ■ Be sure to introduce the full title of the text and the author in the introduction of your essay. ■ Be sure to include your claim (thesis statement) at the end of the introduction. ■ Be sure to reference direct quotes in the supporting body paragraphs (and cite page numbers). ■ Be aware that failing to follow MLA guidelines will result in an automatic full letter grade drop (for example, A to B). Please refer to the sample MLA essay provided. ■ Be aware that you are required to peer-review the first draft on the due date. Failing to engage in peer-review will result in an automatic full letter grade drop (for example, A to B).