The Bluest Eye- Autumn Questions

Directions: Answer the following questions using the book. Include page numbers for all details you offer. The more thoughtful your answers, the
better your grade. Use your own paper. Be sure to number the questions correctly and answer in complete sentences. These questions span Autumn
(pages 9-58, depending on your edition).

1. Cholly and Mrs. Breedlove fight often and we know that each character feels hatred toward the other, yet
they remain married and the narrator tells us that they need each other. Why might Cholly and Mrs. Breedlove
need each other?

2. At the bottom of page 42 there is a reference to a bad experience when Cholly was young (about 13). What
impact does this impact have on him at the point in the story?

3. As long as [Pecola] looked the way she did, as long as she was ugly, she would have to stay with these
people. Somehow she belonged to them (Morrison 45). Why does Pecola feel this way? What can we infer
about Pecolas view of the world around, herself and her family?

4. On page 46, we learn a lot about Pecolas view of blue eyes. They mean more to her than just beauty. What
more do they mean to her? Consider the quote, We musnt do bad things in front of those pretty eyes
(Morrison 46).

5. Pecola has a deep affection for the prostitutes, China, Poland and Miss Marie, who we meet on page 50.
Pecola looked and looked at the women. Were they real? (Morrison 58). Consider this quote and all of the
interactions Pecola has with these women. What do they represent to her? Why is Pecola so fascinated with
them?