Folding and Unfolding of the Black American Woman: Applying Triple Consciousness Theory to Tony Morrison?s The Bluest Eye

Ria Chopra

Abstract: It is a strange lot to be a black woman in American society. She was brought to this country to be an unpaid worker, a concubine, and a broodmare. Her body and her sexuality have been reviled and experimented on but from the various brilliant shades of brown black people come in, is curiously loved. Her face has been used as the poster child for poverty and welfare and she must deal with the dismissal and contempt from everyone, from her own people to society at large. Despite everything, she is filled with fire. A swirling contrast of fire, salty tears wept, and strength. Morrison?s The Bluest Eye is a tragic narration of black American girls and women for whom the society does not seem to have any dram of existence, let alone fundamental rights or respect. Morrison?s characters, although unusual, voice stories that are not unique to only them. These are black men who have been oppressed by white men and black women who have been crushed by white women, who now inhabit a community struggling for an identity, love and belongingness.

Keywords: double consciousness, triple consciousness, folding