In each of the novels that I have read of Toni Morrison's, she has had some sort of element of the supernatural incorporated into the plot-line and her commentary. And in this section of the book I noticed that Morrison again reverted to having "something in the house" that may or may not come into play more in the latter parts of the book. This entity that is referred to in this book is more of the playful-"ha ha-I've-got-your-stuff" type as opposed to the more belligerent spirits of Beloved. Also, as in another of her novels, Morrison seems to be including themes and commentary on innocence as well. I have also noticed the continuance of song and color references, which, respectively, seem to be a symbol and a possible motif, as this element is something that has been present in all three novels I have read thus far. As I was reading I saw two things at the beginning of the "winter" section of the book that I felt was necessary for the novel, and the other, well, it was just n=one of those things that you like seeing in books. The first was that the beginning paragraphs were a comparison of Mr. Breedlove to the season winter, which got me thinking if each season were perhaps more than just a symbol and more of a type of archetype for certain characters. The second, was in the line "A Vulcan guarding the flames . . . ," just made me immediately think of Spock from Star Trek.
Toni Morrison also seems to like to incorporate not only several black characters, but also at least one mulatto -- or as the characters in the book refer to them, high-yellow. Another thing that seemed to start to have more prevalence as I have read is references to seeds and growth in, apparently, the forms of birth and almost as in an ominous way for a foreshadowing of some dire event to come. There is plenty of references to eyes; it could possibly be a motif since there was an eye symbol in Tar Baby. Morrison also ties blackness to ugliness in several places, this might possibly hint towards a theme, but who knows until the end anyway. In a string of dialogue there was a small discussion on lawsuits, so that may also come up in some latter part of the novel as well. And along those same lines, menstruation is a frequent topic of discussion which, more than likely, is also foreshadowing and event to come. Morrison also seems to present a bit of abuse between Pecola and her father, which could tie in as well later in the book. The best bit of this section was when there was a large paragraph of social commentary about notions of beauty and appearances on page 74.
Toni Morrison also seems to like to incorporate not only several black characters, but also at least one mulatto -- or as the characters in the book refer to them, high-yellow. Another thing that seemed to start to have more prevalence as I have read is references to seeds and growth in, apparently, the forms of birth and almost as in an ominous way for a foreshadowing of some dire event to come. There is plenty of references to eyes; it could possibly be a motif since there was an eye symbol in Tar Baby. Morrison also ties blackness to ugliness in several places, this might possibly hint towards a theme, but who knows until the end anyway. In a string of dialogue there was a small discussion on lawsuits, so that may also come up in some latter part of the novel as well. And along those same lines, menstruation is a frequent topic of discussion which, more than likely, is also foreshadowing and event to come. Morrison also seems to present a bit of abuse between Pecola and her father, which could tie in as well later in the book. The best bit of this section was when there was a large paragraph of social commentary about notions of beauty and appearances on page 74.