Elihue Whitcomb

I find it amazing how Tony Morrison manages to add yet another character to the story so close to its end and develop his character so fully in doing so. Elihue Micah Whitcomb is a man who is corrupt in many ways. He plays the part of a false psychic and a man of God, not to mention his "affections" towards little girls. But in a way, his character seems oddly redeemable. The reason being that he was the only person throughout the whole story who looked at Pecola for the first time and instantly felt the need to help this little girl. He admits to himself that she is ugly, but that makes the need to get rid of her problem more urgent. Another cruel twist is added to the story when he makes Pecola give the dog a poisoned piece of meet in order to kill it. But afterward, he promises her that God will reward her with her wish for blue eyes. Also, I find it amazing that this man can feel so justified in everything he does. The letter with God at the end suggests no fear of the higher power; he tells God that he is better than Him because of his willingness to help others who, he feels, God has already abandoned. The books states:

"I,I have caused a miracle. I gave her the eyes. I gave her the blue, blue, two blue eyes. Cobalt blue. A streak of it right out of your own blue heaven. No one else will see her blue eyes. But she will. And she will live happily ever after. I, I have found it meet and right to do. Now you are jealous. You are jealous of me."

Morrison adds another level of depth to the story and forces you to ask yourself what you think is right and wrong in a situation like this.