The Most Beautiful Passage

"Our astonishment was short lived, for it gave way to a curious kind of defensive shame; we were embarrassed for Pecola, hurt for her, and finally we just felt sorry for her. Our sorrow drove out all thoughts of the new bicycle. And I believe our sorrow was more intense because nobody else seemed to share it. They were disgusted, amused, shocked, outraged, or even excited by the story. But we listened for the one who would say, "Poor little girl," or, "Poor baby," but there was only head-wagging where those words should have been. We looked for eyes creased with concern, but saw only veil" (Toni Morrison 190).

This is a very beautiful passage as Frieda and Claudia begin to establish their own sense of feeling free of society's impact. Toni Morrison creates an undeniable sense of growth through Frieda and Claudia throughout the story, peaking up to this point. Before Frieda and Pecola loved Shirley Temple and the white, blue-eyed baby dolls. The family called themselves ugly, not because they really were physically deformed or hideous, but rather because society looked down upon those with dark skin. The entire recollection of events of Pecola revolved around fitting into society, but this here is when Frieda and Claudia dissimulate with society's judgement and opinions.