1
The Bluest Eye : WINTER
Chapter 4
The story opens with Claudia's homage to her father: « My daddy's face is a study ». She uses
winter metaphors and similes to describe him.
1) Find the similes and metaphors at the beginning of this chapter.
2) Comment on the way he is described.
3) Contrast Mr MacTeer with Cholly Breedlove
4) Read pages 48-49. How do Frieda and Claudia feel about Maureen Peal. Use the
expressions below to enrich your vocabulary.
Resentment
They resent the fact that ...
They are resentful of the fact that ...
They are jealous of Maureen because / as / since she ...
5) How do the other people feel about Maureen and why? Try to find quotes to substantiate all
answers.
Praise
She is lauded by the teacher since ...
The other students sing her praises since / as / because
The reason why she is admired by everyone is because ...
They show her respect as ...
Read pages 47-57: Pecola and Maureen Peal
6) Read page 50 and comment on why the black children pick on Pecola.really pretty? How
do Frieda and Claudia react to this?
7) Contrast Pecola and Maureen and how the two girls are treated differently by the boys.
Why do you think it is important for Pecola to have a friend like Maureen Peal?
8) Find an image to describe Maureen’s hair on page 47. Comment on the irony of that image
and why Morrison decides to make use of it.
9) Pick out the elements which show that society regards white as beautiful.
10) Maureen admires Betty Grable whilst Claudia prefers Hedy Lamar. Why is this
significant?
Mr Henry – read pages 59-62
The theme of innocence and experience.
11) What do the girls learn about in this passage?
2
Deception and disappointment
They learn that you cannot rely on / bank on / count on adults since ...
Claudia realises that adults cannot be trusted ...
Mr Henry tricks them into V + ing
Geraldine’s Story – read pages 63 -72
12) Pages 63-67: read the story of the “thin brown girls”. Make a list of their characteristics
(at least seven ideas).
e.g.
They straighten their hair.
They live in quiet neighbourhoods.
13) Geraldine is one of these girls. What “white things” does she seem to be obsessed with?
14) Parent / children relationships. How does she treat her son Junior? Compare this with
other parent / children relationships in the novel and with other works you have studied.
15) Page 67: “Niggers”.
Geraldine distances herself from what she terms “niggers.” Make a link to Maureen Peal and
her attitude to Frieda and Claudia.
16) What differences does she make between the two groups?
“Coloured people”
“Niggers”
17) Inside the house on pages 69-70. Pick out elements to describe the house. The nice tidy
house reflects Geraldine’s desire to do what?
18) What does Junior do to Pecola?
19) Symbolism: look at the description of the cat on pages 70-71. Who or what do you think it
symbolises? Pick out relevant quotes.
20) On page 72 we can see how Geraldine views black people. Use the expressions below to
make sentences about how she feels about them.
Scorn
She is contemptuous of black people as shown when she ...
She holds them in contempt because ...
She shows contempt for ...
She looks down on black people since ...
She does not hold black people in high esteem since ...
The reason why she despises black people is ...
She is scornful of black people ...
3
21) Geraldine’s viewpoint on pages 71-72. Look at her thoughts when she sees Pecola. Pick
out the key elements and comment on her feelings. Here are some expressions to help.
She is afraid of / scared of ...
She is repulsed by ...
She despises / hates / loathes / can’t bear / can’t stand ...
She takes out her anger on Pecola by ...
The reason why she hates Pecola so much is that she reminds her of ...
Pecola is the epitome of everything that Geraldine ...
22) Try to find examples of the following literary techniques in this extract:
Literary Techniques
Examples / Quotes
a. Pathetic fallacy
b. Use of symbolism
E.g. the black cat
c. Use of metaphors
d. Use of similes
e. Use of diction
f. Use of narrative voice
and focalisation
(viewpoint)
e.g. Childish language such
as ...
Effect on the reader commentary