Deleuze and Guattari’s Rhizome: Racial discrimination in The Bluest Eyes

Abstract

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.