Lessons from The Bluest Eye: The Discovery of Self

Authors

Shanda D. Boone-Hurdle, Suffolk Public SchoolsFollow

Abstract

This article will explore the profound impact of reading, utilizing Toni Morrison’s novel The Bluest Eye as a catalyst for students to create real-life connections that resonate with their own experiences. The love of reading is a transformative force that not only enriches the intellectual landscape but also serves as a powerful tool for fostering empathy and understanding. This article will demonstrate how reading empowers students and helps them find solace and strength in the realization that their struggles, dreams, and aspirations are not isolated but are woven into the fabric of a broader narrative in which students can reflect on their own lives. Furthermore, the act of reading instills a profound sense of agency in students. Through the characters, students witness the transformative potential of resilience, self-expression, and the pursuit of one's identity. This article will explore how reading can become a guide for navigating the complexities of life, providing a roadmap for self-discovery, and empowerment.

Author Biography

Shanda Boone-Hurdle is currently an English teacher at Suffolk Public Schools, Suffolk, Va. She was an adjunct English professor at Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton, Va. from 2011-2018, as well as, an adjunct professor for ECPI University, Newport News, Va. from 2010-2021. She began her teaching career in 2004, after receiving her B. A. degree from Ferrum College, Ferrum Va., and her M. A. degree from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va. Both degrees are in English. She has written two books of poetry which are available on Amazon.

Recommended Citation

Boone-Hurdle, Shanda D. (2024) "Lessons from The Bluest Eye: The Discovery of Self," Virginia English Journal: Vol. 72: Iss. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/vej/vol72/iss1/6