Deleuze and Guattari’s Rhizome: Racial discrimination in The Bluest Eyes
View/ Open
Date
2021-05Publisher
Brac UniversityAuthor
Salauddin, NazalaMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This thesis focuses on the psychological narrative of the human mind in case of portraying
racial thoughts and discrimination. The connection and transference of feelings between the
different characters in Toni Morrison’s novel is explained through the theory of Deleuze and
Guattari’s Rhizome from their book, A Thousand Plateaus. Not only through intensity of
feelings do these characters connect with each other, but also because of their emotions and
thoughts they affect one another, for which the psychological downfall eventually of the
protagonist occurs. Yet before the ultimate culmination towards Pecola’s end, the characters
acting as the framework behind her downfall face consequences of their own. They are also
victims of racial discrimination that they impose on Pecola. A discussion of internalization of
racism and the psychological effects it bears on the external behavior and internal thought of
the characters in the novel is analyzed through the lens of sociology, psychology and realism.
Along with this the realizations that act as the pivotal point of the change of the character’s
nature is also discussed as the reasons behind their rude and sudden actions. The solutions
regarding the laterally pervading racial emotions and perceptions of the characters is self awareness combined with an open mind that can judge and refute superficial and instinctive
judgments about race and ethnicity.
Keywords
Internalized Racism; Multiplicity of Feelings; Deterritorialization; Self-identity; Rhizomatic connection; Self-awarenessDescription
This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in English, 2021.Department
Department of English and Humanities, Brac UniversityType
ThesisCollections
- Thesis, B.A. (English) [611]