Research Paper on:
Margaret Street in Tar Baby by Toni Morrison

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
dynamics of crossing the color line are moved from the body to the psyche" (Bennett). And, in regards to this psyche, we are offered the psychological conditions and experiences of  white people as well. As one author notes, "The commodification of race and gender that negotiates the characterizations of Margaret (the beauty queen)" are very powerful elements in the story  of "Tar Baby" by Toni Morrison (Bartlett). In the following paper we examine this character who is Margaret Street, examining her mental state and discussing whether that influences her racial  prejudices and motherhood or not. Margaret Street In many ways Margaret is a very stereotypical white woman. She is, as mentioned, a beauty queen who is young and also  a woman who is lost. But, she possesses prejudices that have quite obviously been formed over the years due to her lack of mental strength. She is a woman  who has married young and married into what clearly seems to be a loveless marriage. That, in itself, is enough to offer a woman who is perhaps mentally and emotionally  broken. What might have been, in regards to her character and strength, does not exist for her anymore as her social position has been focused on beauty and prestige and  money, and she now has nothing. With this simple background in mind we note that she, at one time, wanted to explore herself and in doing so wanted to  socialize with the servants, colored individuals. She was discouraged and thus perhaps lost the only outlet for her individuality. It may have been one of those straws that sets in  motion a train of development that is far from positive. And, it is in that sort of social conditioning that we see the power of prejudice come through in her