The Bluest Eye – Fiction as Argument

Task:
Write a focused analysis of The Bluest Eye as argument that demonstrates original thinking and
a close reading of the text. Incorporate two articles of literary criticism that are posted on
Canvas. No other research allowed. All body paragraphs will use primary-source quotations and
examples from the novel for supporting evidence.
Length: (4 – 5 pages). MLA formatting and style. Add a Works Cited page (5 – 6 pages).
Getting started:
1. Choose one claim or assertion that Toni Morrison makes through her fictional characters,
imagery, plot, narrative style, or setting of The Bluest Eye. Many of Morrison’s claims are
written as challenges to widely-held assumptions.
2. Next, determine how she proves her claim. For example, does she pair two characters to
illustrate a claim? Does she repeat certain images to emphasize a point? Does her narrative
style help develop a claim?
3. Use this template to form a thesis:
In The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison uses ____________________________ to assert
that ________________________________________________________________.
For a more detailed explanation of this template, refer to the video tutorial on
Canvas.
Use your thesis to guide the direction of the paper and supporting evidence.
4. In the introductory paragraph, engage in conversation with one article of literary criticism.
Purpose? This satisfies several student learning outcomes, including reading college-level
texts and thinking critically about secondary sources. Referring to a work of research also
provides a springboard for your unique and original thesis.
5. Evidence to support thesis:
Use specific details and short, quoted passages from the novel to support your ideas. All
body paragraphs should use several quoted passages (2 – 3 sentences at the most. Short,
powerful phrases are recommended.) The majority of evidence will be primary
– from the novel. No outside research is allowed, other than two articles of literary
scholarship posted on Canvas. Remember: Original thinking is privileged over a summary
of a scholar’s thoughts. All quoted passages must use direct quotation marks and use in-
text citations in MLA style like this: (45).
6. In all papers this semester, you have entertained objections to your argument. And all good
arguments should. In analyzing Toni Morrison’s argument, spend at least one paragraph
wherein you address possible objections to her claim. What areas of her claim may be weak
or not fully supported by the characters or narrative style in her novel? Is there a character
that does not support the claim? Address those concerns, concede points, and offer a
rebuttal if you can. If you cannot offer a rebuttal to those concerns, explain what Morrison
could have done to sew up those holes in her argument. Another way of viewing this part of
the paper is to ask yourself this question: What parts of her claim are convincing and what
parts are not? Why not? Is there a way to make that part more convincing? Always root your
argument in the fictional world of the novel.
7. End your essay with a closing paragraph.
First, summarize all points made in the body of the paper. Often a one-sentence summary of
each body paragraph’s point is sufficient. That’s at least three or four review sentences.
Next, answer the questions “So what?” and “Why should we care?” What is the point of
Morrison’s argument? Put another way, does Morrison’s claim have relevance for today’s
readers? If yes, why? If not, why?

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