A Look Through the Bluest Eye: Intersectionality, Identity & the Role of Fiction

Author

• Sydney Foster, Utah State University

Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Departmental Honors

Department

English

Abstract

Since its coinage in 1989, the idea of intersectionality has persisted academic research in understanding how a person is treated and what experiences they are subjected to, specifically those belonging to marginalized groups. My theory is that a person’s intersectionality is the vehicle which leads to their experiences, which when totaled, comprise a person’s identity. This project focuses specifically on the treatment of Black women and girls, the academic research and first-hand accounts that support the existence of the perpetual adultification, dehumanization, and sexualization of these individuals, and how these phenomena increase Black women and girls’ risk for maltreatment, specifically in the form of sexual abuse. Toni Morrison’s novel The Bluest Eye, which details the circumstances and events surrounding the horrific assault on an eleven year-old Black girl named Pecola Breedlove, is analyzed and used as a tool for understanding the connection between intersectionality, experiences, and identity.

Additionally, the role fiction plays in connecting us with those whose lives we do not yet fully understand is analyzed. I argue that while The Bluest Eye’s ability to illustrate the treatment of Black women and girls should not be overlooked, it is above all, a single story and a work of fiction. One cannot fully grasp the entire scope of an individual’s life from one author’s narrative; the sum of all stories leads to connection, including nonfiction accounts, both past and present. It is the real-life experiences of individuals that truly matter, but it is fiction that bridges the gap in understanding. It is our responsibility as readers and humans to both create spaces where these stories can be heard, and share these stories with others. It is only then that we can begin to create connections and foster empathy

Recommended Citation

Foster, Sydney, "A Look Through the Bluest Eye: Intersectionality, Identity & the Role of Fiction" (2026). Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects. 1113.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honors/1113