The Bluest Eye: Exploring Gravity and Humor

In the The Bluest Eye, written by Toni Morrison, beauty and the severe consequences of a desire for beauty are written with such ease.  However, although the tone is nonchalant, it creates a massive impact on the reader and makes them question the importance of the event and message behind it.  For example, in the prologue, when we learn about the fact that Pecola's father impregnated her, we seem to skim that over until we reach our senses and understand that Pecola is having her father's child.  The entire novel is extremely serious and so are the events that occur within the story.  But the novel becomes humorous because of Morrison's negligence towards stressing such life changing and consequential events of the book.  

"We thought, at the time, that it was because Pecola was having her father's baby that the marigolds did not grow." (p. 5). 

While reading through this part, Morrison's voice speaks to the reader in a calm voice, almost as if she is trying to ease in the gravity of the situation at hand, Pecola's pregnancy.  But because her tone is so indifferent, it becomes funny, almost ridiculous.  It is almost as if she wants these tragic events to be not taken seriously or sympathetically.  A reader reacts in a humorous way because the tone gives off the feeling that the writer doesn't want us to take it seriously either.  

I was once told that some of the hardest things in life should be laughed off.  What if that is her true motive?  What if Morrison told us this story with no emotion and indifference to show us that at the end of the day, life still goes on and the hardest things should seem ridiculous to ease the pain?  

This also connects with her request to "take refuge in how" and not why.  She implies that knowing why is hard to handle and that the how leaves less room for emotional conflict.  And sometimes the why is not important.  Her nonchalant less appeal in her tone shows that although these events occurred, finding reasons for it won't change the occurrence.  The only thing we can do is laugh about it and minimize the seriousness held on to at the time.  

The tone and hidden motives of Morrison help us realize that although the events that led to Pecola's shame were  indescribably awful and tragic, our mindset should not be fixed on the negative belief towards why it happened and dwell on the sad parts of the story.  Readers should find hilarity and ridiculousness in order for the gravity of the story to be eased off as a heavy burden.  

  

Ad Analysis: Forced to Live in Peaceful Toleration

Handcuffs.  Hands.  Colors.  Denim.

Handcuffs.  Symbolize restraint.  Restriction.

Hands.  Symbolize surrender.  Submission.

Colors.  Symbolize diversity.  Different.

Denim.  Symbolize uniformity.  Similar.

Looking at this ad closely, the first thing I look at are the handcuffs.  They are firmly clasped on each wrist, symbolizing force and demand. Then my eyes move downward, to the hands.  Curled, weak fingers symbolize the reluctance and hesitation.  One white, one black.  Lastly, it moves to the clothes.  Both are wearing denim jeans and denim jackets, showing unity.

Subtlety is an incredibly powerful and important factor in creating a strong argument about racial peace for the general public in the ad.  Words and actions don't crowd the image, creating a simpler and clearer view of the message.  This ad shows the obvious reluctance and hesitance between both races.  The handcuffs show that they may not have to like each other but they must learn to tolerate each other and in order for them to do that, they must be forced through handcuffs.  At the same time, besides the color of the hands, everything else is uniform.  Both individuals are wearing denim.  This depicts the idea that just because someone's skin color is different, doesn't mean they are any different.  Denim proves this idea in the simplest way possible.

Notice that the ad is not promoting love.  You don't see a hug or a kiss, far from it.  Instead, you see surrendered hands in handcuffs.  Toleration is the main promotion.  Toleration of different races and different people.  The ad is, hence, less predictable and draws more attention from the audience.  It plays on a more realistic account rather than a fairy tale version, like a "happily ever after".  The structure of the hands show that neither one of them want to tolerate each other but since they are forced to, they will oblige.  Most influential ads go against assumptions and create an narrow angle of perspective that most of the general public may have never thought of before.  Depicting acceptance rather than perfect harmony shapes a more realistic and believable image in a typical viewer.

"United Colors of Benetton" is in stark green and quite hard to miss.  They have done their very best in letting people know that they endorse this cause.  And in doing that, they have gained more respect from the public and more customers.  Sales tactic?  Maybe, probably.  Creative?  Clever?  Definitely.