Discuss the narrative strategies used by Toni Morrison in The Bluest Eye.

Toni Morrison employs several narrative strategies in her
novel The Bluest Eye.  First, the main storyline of the novel is
preceeded by a primer that is a play on the Dick and Jane readers which were popular in
the 1950's.  Morrison uses the primer as a motif throughout the novel to develop various
themes in the novel:  at the beginning of each chapter, a piece of the primer heads the
page to characterize the chapter.

Next, the novel is broken
into four parts that correspond with the seasons of the year.  However, the seasons
begin in autumn when things begin to decay, and this sets the tone for the events to
come. 

Throughout the novel, Morrison uses much figurative
language to develop her story.  Metaphors such Pecola's wish for blue eyes allow
Morrison to develop theme and purpose.