Question

on pages 187-206 of "the bluest eye" Claudia states that "it was with confidence, strengthened by pity and pride that we decided to change the course of events and alter a human life" (191). how did she and Frieda plan to do this

Answer 1

Claudia is describing the moment when she and Frieda decide, out of pity and a child's proud certainty that they can fix things, to intervene in Pecola’s life. Their plan is simple and naïve: to take Pecola out of the situation that is destroying her — to care for her, keep her safe, and give her the love and acceptance she has been denied (in effect to “mother” her and, if necessary, raise the baby themselves). They imagine that by removing Pecola from her home and giving her shelter and affection they can change what fate seems to have in store for her.

Morrison shows the limits of that plan: the girls’ intentions are earnest but powerless against the structural, social, and familial forces around Pecola. Their attempt to “alter a human life” is ultimately unsuccessful — Pecola returns to the Breedloves’ world, the baby dies, and Pecola retreats into madness — which underlines the novel’s critique of how racism, sexism, poverty, and community indifference crush vulnerable lives.