All of us--all who knew her--felt so wholesome after we cleaned ourselves on her. We were so beautiful when we stood astride her ugliness. Her simplicity decorated us, her guilt sanctified us, her pain made us glow with health, her awkwardness made us think we had a sense of humor. Her inarticulateness made us believe we were eloquent. Her poverty kept us generous. Even her waking dreams we used--to silence our own nightmares.
The quote reflects the complex dynamics between the characters and the protagonist, highlighting how they project their flaws and insecurities onto her. The people around her feel uplifted and transformed by her presence, finding beauty and meaning through her perceived shortcomings. This suggests that their sense of self-worth is entwined with her suffering and imperfections, allowing them to escape their own realities by using her as a mirror.
Morrison's portrayal underscores the themes of ugliness, beauty, and the damaging effects of societal standards. The individuals feel enriched by her simplicity and pain, revealing a deep reliance on her vulnerability. This relationship hints at the broader implications of racial and social issues, where one's value is often measured through the lens of someone else's suffering, complicating their identities and humanity.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
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