Actions and Reactions
Toni Morrison, author of The Bluest Eye, writes about a young girl, Pocola, who goes through a rough childhood experiencing abuse, being ignored, racism, and early and unwanted motherhood. InThe Bluest Eye, Morrison discusses different family societal ideals in relation to their children's depiction of self worth.
In the beginning of the novel reader is introduced to the main family the Breedloves. With a father, mother, and two children the Breedloves have a very hostile environment in their home.
Cholly, father, is seen as an ugly harsh man, who the reader finds out is disgusted by women.
"Cholly, moving faster, looked at Darlene. He hated her. He almost wished he could do it­­hard, long, and painfully he hated her so much." ( Morrison 148). Charlie pushed this anger on the girl even though the two men who was to blame. This hatred was still kept even after marrying a woman, but it was shiftef to his children mainly Pecola. This anger made Pecola feel at fault. It made Pecola have hatred towards herself. This hatred had some effect towards the son,
Sammy, by ignoring him and pushing him towards self destruction. Pauline, mother, was ignored most of her life by her family because of her limp foot and was discriminated against some of the proper woman by making her feel ugly and undesirable. "When she tried to make up her face as they did it came off badly. They're Goading glances and private snickers..." ( Morrison118). With
Pauline not being able to love herself she could not truly love anyone else. So Pecola and
Sammy were ignored and looked over at any time of need. This type of environment made the children loose themselfs. Sammy by running away from all his problems and Pecola by feeling so alone she began to lose her mind. In the "Not so fast, Dick and Jane: Reimagining Childhood and Nation in The Bluest Eye" article Werrlein states on page 56, "The Bluest Eye explores the contract between oppressed local culture and innocent national ideal through the friction that

erupts between Pecola's life and 1940's models of childhood." This statement shows how
Pecola wasnt in any fantasy family but in a harsh environment with cruel strangers.
In The Bluest Eye another family is introduced called Macteers. Mrs. Macteer is a loving caring woman but it sometimes seen as callous throughout the novel. "I don't mind folks coming in and getting what they want, but three quarts of milk! What the devil does anyone need three