Morrison, Toni: 1931 - 2019

The Bluest Eye, 1970 - Language/Style

  • English Language Level: Medium–Difficult
    • Vocabulary – Morrison uses words that are not common in everyday conversation. Some are descriptive, poetic, or culturally specific.

      Sentence Structure – Some sentences are long and complex, requiring careful attention to punctuation and syntax.

      Figurative Language – Morrison frequently uses metaphors, similes, and symbolism. Understanding these requires interpretation beyond literal meaning.

      Shifting Perspectives – The narrative switches between different characters’ points of view and time frames, which can make following the story more challenging.

      Emotional and Thematic Depth – The novel deals with heavy topics like race, beauty standards, and trauma. Grasping these themes adds to the reading difficulty.

  • Morrison’s rich vocabulary, figurative language, and shifting perspectives make the text challenging to read and interpret.