The Bluest Eye Unit
BLACK LIVES MATTER
PROJECT
Spring 2015
PART I: Critical Lens Essay
 The first part of this project is a critical lens essay in which you will demonstrate, in
writing, your understanding of The Bluest Eye (1970), by Toni Morrison - when read
through a critical lens. This means looking deeply at the text, thinking for yourself, and
considering the kinds of oppression that are experienced by the characters in Morrison’s
novel.
 The essay should synthesize your understanding of the text in a traditional literary
analysis that uses textual evidence to support your ideas, questions, observations,
and interpretations. The essay will adhere to MLA format and should be 3 pages (no
more or less). The essay will follow the formats of H.I.T.T. (introduction) T.I.E.D. (body
paragraphs) and T.R.U.E. (conclusion).
 You must have a thesis statement. This should be a specific, provable, debatable
statement that includes a topic and opinion. This will be the statement that you set out
to argue and prove in your essay.
 Overview of Guidelines
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3 pages
MLA Format
HITT, TIED, TRUE Formats
Thesis statement
3 quotes from story as evidence
Clear organization
Formal tone
No outside sources
Submitted to Turnitin.com
 Essay Prompts (choose one)
1. What kinds of oppression do black people experience when the collective voice of
society tells them they must adhere to white standards of beauty?
2. How is the influence of the “Black Is Beautiful” cultural movement of the 1960s visible
in both Toni Morrison’s novel, The Bluest Eye (1970) and Kendrick Lamar’s album To
Pimp A Butterfly (2015)? Consider the ways both authors comment on how oppression
manifests itself as internalized racism.
 Essay Topics
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Oppression (Institutional and/or Internalized)
Racism, Sexism, Classism
The Master Narrative
Beauty
The Media
The Bluest Eye Unit
BLACK LIVES MATTER
PROJECT
Spring 2015
PART II: Creative Presentation
 Using Toni Morrison’s novel, The Bluest Eye (1970) and your critical lens essay as
inspiration, design a creative project that calls attention to the importance of your ideas
and expresses an understanding of one ore more of the novel’s theme(s) - including,
but not limited to – oppression (internalized / institutional), racism, sexism, classism,
masculinity, the media, the master narrative, beauty, white privilege, etc.
 Your presentation should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the chosen
theme(s) and reflect a creative response to the novel.
 Please choose one of the following presentation formats:
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Cartoon / Comic illustration
Drawing / Painting
Hip-hop / Rap / Lyrical performance
Poetry / Spoken-Word / Slam performance
Musical / Instrumental performance
Internal Monologue / Soliloquy / Scene
Interpretive Dance
iMovie / Film / Documentary / Trailer
Newspaper
Magazine
3D Set Design
Board Game
Video Game
Advertisement
 You are encouraged to combine several different formats if possible.
 The piece must be at least 3 minutes in length (to perform, read, or explain).
 The piece must include a visual component of some kind.
 Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Be creative with both form and content.
Avoid the typical PowerPoint presentation!
Here are some questions to help you think about the content of your project:
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What kinds of oppression do black people experience when the collective
voice of society tells them they must adhere to white standards of beauty?
Why do people feel pressured to alter their appearance to achieve success?
What is beauty and how should it be determined?
How can we redefine beauty for ourselves and others?
What happens when we allow society to determine our self-worth?
Why do some people “internalize” the oppression they experience?
How does the media perpetuate institutional oppression of certain groups?
How can institutional oppression lead to internalized oppression (self-hate)?
Here are some questions to help you think about the form and purpose of your project:
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How does your presentation call attention to the topic / theme / problem?
Does your presentation aim to evoke an emotional response or is it purely
informational?
How is your presentation engaging, informative, powerful and creative?
Why have you chosen this particular issue? Why should others listen?
How is your project part of the solution instead of the problem?
How will you document or share your work with others? physically? digitally?
In what ways can you become an advocate for social change surrounding
this issue? In what ways can you engage in direct action?
The Bluest Eye Unit
BLACK LIVES MATTER
PROJECT
Spring 2015
PART III: Meta-Text Reflection
 After the submission of your critical lens essay and creative presentation, you will
write a 1-2 page reflection paper that addresses the following:
 Questions to Consider
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Discuss the process of designing and presenting your creative project,
explaining (3) aesthetic choices that you made.
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What was the goal / purpose of your creative presentation? How were you
able to express your reading or understanding of the text?
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What aesthetic decisions did you make when creating and presenting your
creative presentation?
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What textual evidence guided your aesthetic choices?
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How did your creative project allow you an opportunity to express your
understanding of the novel? of the unit? of yourself as reader / writer /
meaning-maker?
 Overview of Guidelines
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1-2 pages
Informal tone
Reflective
Insightful
Quotes / References your project as evidence
Process-oriented
Synthesizes understanding
Provides rationale
Discusses specific choices
Uses the language of art