Abstract: The Bluest Eye is Toni Morrison’s first novel which also helps her win the Nobel Prize in 1993. Based upon the previous studies, this paper intends to study it from the perspective of postcolonialism. It first analyzes the loss of black identity in the novel which results from the white cultural hegemony, internalization of racism and lack of support from parents and black community, and then it explores the ways to reconstruct the black identity which includes subversion of the cultural hegemony, adherence of traditional black culture and reliance upon black family and community. Only after the black identity is reconstructed can Afro-Americans have an equal situation with those white people.

Key words: The Bluest Eye; postcolonialism; loss of black identity; reconstruction of black identity

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Loss of Black Identity in The Bluest Eye-8

2.1 The White Cultural Hegemony-9

2.2 Internalization of Racism-11

2.3 Lack of Support from Parents and Black Community-13

3. Reconstruction of Black Identity in The Bluest Eye-15

3.1 Subversion of the Cultural Hegemony-15

3.2 Adherence of Traditional Black Culture-17

3.3 Reliance upon Black Family and Community-18

4. Conclusion-20

Reference-21