Not compassionate, only polite

from Black Star – Thieves in the Night Lyrics on Rap Genius

Only minding manners, but not really caring.

This line is directly stated in the last chapter of The Bluest Eye. Claudia has bought into the “system of whiteness”. She sees herself as better than Pecola, and only enforces the hatred of the African American race even within the black community. The use of the word compassionate in juxtaposition to the adjective polite further denotes that Claudia is now carrying out a performance instead of genuine actions. Frieda and Claudia were “not good, but well behaved” suggesting that they follow the formalities and standards of beauty of white society. This is a distinct contrast to the prostitutes in the novel. Although prostitutes like Miss Marie are deemed socially unacceptable by society, they have a unique vitality and compassion for life, and still follow their own desires.

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