Elements of The Archetypal Journey in The Bluest Eye

As I started reading the novel, I recognized that this novel would be a story that exhibits elements of The Archetypal Journey. On page 1 I was struck by the phrase," We stare at here, wanting her bread, but no more than that wanting to poke the arrogance out of here yes and smash the pride of ownership that curls her chewing mouth." (Morrison 9). This creates a threshold for Claudia as she must face the struggle of being forced to witness Rosemary enjoying her bread, but fails to cross the threshold. As a reader, I was able to determine that the sight of Rosemary eating her bread, reveals Claudia's jealously, and desire to posses the pride exhibited in Rosemary's eyes. However, Claudia overcoming her struggle of starvation will provide her with the strength and power to break through the barriers of poverty, and gain a new sense of overwhelming prosperity, by crossing the threshold.