In the two works of literature ‘ Housekeeping’ by Marilynne Robinson, and ‘The Bluest Eye’ by Toni Morrison, the two female authors explore similar thematic concerns. In Robinson’s literary work, she captures a life that only involves women. The few male characters in her work are eliminated at the early stages of the novel. The women undergo through death experiences, fear, fate and at every step of the way, they are either contemplating ‘keeping the house’ or simply walking away. In that sense, this work of literature by Marilynne Robinson majorly covers the role of women, and the role of gender themes, as seen in the ensuing discussion. On the other hand, Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye’ revolves around the effect of white beauty on the blacks. The author demonstrates the way white-designed values as seen in American culture and America in general influence the black families and individuals. The major themes in the novel include the role of gender, the role of identity and the role of women. Indeed, although the two works of literature by Marilynne Robinson and Toni Morrison are different in terms of setting and the message they relay, they depict similar themes on the role of women, the role of gender, and the role of identity.
The role of women in Marilynne Robinson is evident from when the novel opens, to the end. In the literary work, Robinson takes the readers through a family dominated by women. The role of males in the family is eliminated, and throughout the upbringing of the girls, the role of men is left out. For instance, following the death of their mother, Ruth and Lucille are left in the hands of their aged grandmother. After a short while, the old woman dies. The two girls are left under the care of their aunts, who end up taking them to Sylvie, a childless woman, who was living alone. Despite being childless, she is given the role of looking after the two girls. Sylvie is not an ideal mother to the two girls, especially because her ways of keeping the house are unacceptable. In fact, it appears Robinson believes that, the role of keeping a house should be a women affair.
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Similarly, Toni Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye’ depicts the role of women as the perfect objects for representing beauty. Pecola Breedlove is the major character in the story, and right from when the novel opens, she becomes obsessed with the idea of resembling the whites. A thought strikes her, to eliminate ugliness, by making her eyes blue, to resemble that of the whites. In other words, women are brought out as weak individuals, who have to rely on their image to build on confidence. In fact, her mother Pauline immensely contributes the obsession seen in Pecola. Whenever she goes to the movie, she rates the characters based on their looks and beauty. She does not seem to know the destruction she inflicts on her daughter, which ends up affecting her self-esteem. In that sense, the role of women in this story is to depict inherent beauty is what matters, and not just mere looks.
The role of gender in the two works of literature is evident. In ‘ Housekeeping’ by Marilynne Robinson, the author is determined to reject the traditional patriarchal expectations, values, and norms. Through Ruth and Lucille, the author shows that, females are capable of determining their own identities and paths. For instance, Lucille tells Ruth “We have to improve ourselves. Starting right now!” She proceeds to make a dress in a bid to resemble the popular girls. Her behavior is a way of abiding with patriarchal expectations, which is expected of female gender. In the same vein, she is against the chaotic and disorganized lifestyle lead by Sylvie. Lucille is a believer of women taking up their traditional gender roles, the reason she is against Sylvie’s independent attitude. In contrast, her sister Ruth is a complete different person. She desires to live her life, which is not limited to the patriarchal values and norms. In ‘The Bluest Eye’ by Toni Morrison, the role of gender is evident. The black women in the novel are placed in a harsh environment, where the male character is the major cause of sexual oppression in their lives. In the same vein, the white women equally have a role in their life. The author uses white women to influence the life of black women, and they represent the ruling class, considering they are taken as role models.
In Morrison’s literary work, the role of identity is explored. Pecola attempts to reject her identity, and seeks the identity of a white, beautiful woman Shirley Temple. She is obsessed with having blue eyes, forgetting that she cannot have search, owing to her identity. She thinks that, by having blue eyes, her family will live peacefully without conflicts. Ignorantly, she does not believe her race can represent beauty, and as a result, she lacks self-worth, and it leads to self-blaming, shame, and self-hate. Every time her family fights, she desires to disappear. In contrast, her mother sees the fights as her identity. She believes she is a staunch Christian, and her worthless husband is a punishment from God. In ‘ Housekeeping’ by Marilynne Robinson, the role identity plays in a family is seen in the way the two sisters are brought up. In often cases, families help in forming identities. Individuals define themselves, based on way they are brought up and the relationship with other members of the family. In the novel, the two sisters Lucille and Ruth lose their mother at a tender age, and there lacks a fatherly figure. They have to move from one relative to the other and they struggle to find their identities. In that sense, it appears whenever children are brought up in different environments and backgrounds, they lose identity.
In conclusion, ‘ Housekeeping’ by Marilynne Robinson, and ‘The Bluest Eye’ by Toni Morrison have similar themes on the role of women, the role of gender, and the role of identity. In the two novels, characters are used to show the roles played by males and females in the society, and the way ideal identity is influential in one’s life.
