My Love for Toni Morrison’s 𝘑𝘢𝘻𝘻

With all the destruction and division in the world, a book has been a safe space for me. It transports me to a place where my problems do not seem so big. Books and movies have always captivated me; my mother made it a routine to take us to the library every chance she could get. I decided to get back into reading for leisure. A call back to my roots, if you will. I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I have; in fact it is exactly what I needed. 

It was hard at first, for me to be completely into what I was reading. But I wanted to read something that would challenge my mind not as a reader but as well as a writer. I started off with Toni Morrison’s Jazz this summer while juggling a job, and an internship working under a magazine. Actually, my creative writing professor recommended Jazz to me after I briefly mentioned Morrison’s Love.

I found myself just completely moved by Harlem and its inhabitants. The estranged relationship between Violet and Joe, and Joe’s involvement with a teenaged Dorcas. What I truly admire about Morrison is her way of showcasing each character as morally grey; no one person is good or evil. Dorcas’ demise at the hands of her much older love left me scratching my head. In a way I could almost understand his motivation; but I believe he failed to remember that Dorcas was an eighteen year old girl. One of his many gifts to her was candy, showing how young she was. 

“I didn’t fall in love with you, I rose in it.”

Morrison, Jazz

which in any other context would be quite romantic. But I remember thinking Joe is saying this to a child. He observed her, waited until the perfect moment while having his wife, Violet at home. He killed Dorcas because she leaves him for a boy her own age.

I love how this point of this predatory relationship is not outwardly condemned; even at Dorcas’ funeral. Joe and Violet never truly discusses his affair with Dorcas, they just move on like nothing happened. I remember the feeling of accomplishment that I had when I finished Jazz. It made me fall in love with Morrison; it is no surprise that I am currently taking a course centering around all of Morrison’s work.

Outside of Jazz, I have read The Bluest Eye, and Sula; so far The Bluest Eye is my favorite. Morrison has also made me a better writer as well; she challenges me to discuss hard topics. Morrison’s work personally is like no other, she inspired me to see what others have written about. What other worlds could I be entering that I have no clue about? 

This calling back to my roots has freed me from the weights of the world. It excites me to explore all the books that I have yet to read.

• #books
• literature classic
• toni morrison