Beni DiVasta

HSS 207
Weekly Response #9

The novel The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison discusses a lot of topics along the lines of
race, social class, and promiscuity. However, there is a page in which Morrison discusses space
in terms of spatial theory. On page 17 Morrison dissects the difference between the indoors and
outdoors spaces and what those spaces mean for people of color during this time. I intend to
discuss the dialogue that is brought up on page 17 and how that relates to literary cartography.
The beginning of these paragraphs explains the context behind what being outdoors
means. Outdoors, we knew, was the real terror of life. The threat of being outdoors surfaced
frequently in those days. Every possibility of excess was curtailed with it. If somebody ate too
much, he could end up outdoors. If somebody used too much coal, he could end up outdoors.
People could gamble themselves outdoors, drink themselves outdoors (Morrison, 17). This
quote shows what the deeper meaning to being put outdoors means, using an excess of or doing
things to the excess. As we like to say everything in moderation seems to be the key here. But
what does the outdoors mean? In the context of this page it means to be homeless or go
bankrupt. This tells us a lot about the current social class of the family that is narrating the story.
Since these families must make an active effort to stay indoors and know many examples of
others who have been put outdoors the reader can infer that they are living in a low income
neighborhood.
Living in a low income neighborhood can tell us a lot about their situation and the
situations of those around them. They do not have a high level of education, this can be noted
throughout the novel when things are spelled as they would be pronounced rather than how they
should be written. Morrison speaks on the topic of their class lower on the page, Bring a
minority in both caste and class, we moved about anyway on the hem of life, struggling to
consolidate our weaknesses and hang on, or to creep singly up into the major folds of the
garment (Morrison, 17). This quote shows that due to their social standing and race they are in
the minority and therefore at the largest risk for being put outdoors. They must make an active
effort to remain indoors.
Morrison makes an interesting distinction further down on the page. She writes, There is
a difference between being put out and being put outdoors. If you are put out, you go somewhere
else; if you are outdoors, there is no place to go (Morrison, 17). This distinction goes to show
the difference it makes when you have a choice in the matter of being put outdoors. When you
are put out you have options as to where you could go from there. However, when you are
outdoors to begin with, then you have no options or choices other than to remain homeless.
Morrison also compares the act of putting ones family outdoors to being criminal. This
shows that you need to be sure you are not consuming an excess amount of things in order to
provide for your family and keep them safely indoors. Indoors is where it is safe, things are
routine and as they should be. Whereas the outdoors is considered to be the unknown,
unpredictable and potentially dangerous for you and for your family. This is something that
nobody wants for themselves, especially not their children.
Overall, on page 17 alone in The Bluest Eye there is a lot to unpack in terms of spatial
theory and social class. The difference between the indoors and the outdoors could represent life
or death for some, since this is a large part of their everyday lives, Morrison dedicated a whole
page to explaining the importance and significance for the readers understanding.