Discuss+the+significance+of+names+in+the+story+including+The+Maginot+Line,+meringue-pie,+and+Soaphead+Church

In this novel, names generally contribute to characterization through their sound, what they mean, or both. For example, Maureen Peal's name has an alliteration of the sound "ee," which reflects the shrill, irritating sound that would likely, at least by Claudia, be associated with her voice. Maureen Peal's other name, "meringue pie," is meant as an insult by Claudia. However, its sweetness and the fact that it seems like an affectionate name signifies how Claudia cannot succeed in making Maureen Peal look bad and unatractive. In addition, Cholly's name, which is probably a mispronunciation of "Charlie," reflects his rough, uneducated upbringing as this mispronunciation reflects a lack of articulation and sophistication. The names "China" and "Poland," make the prostitutes who have these names seem exotic and foreign, as they seem to Pecola, who calls them by these names. In addition, these names are the names of countries that were attacked by the Nazis during WWII. In addition, the third prostitute's name, "The Maginot Line," is also a WWII reference, being a failed barrier to guard against the Nazis. Therefore, the name "Maginot Line," as well as the country names of the other prostitutes, may suggest that they were all invaded by a sort of evil (just as their namesakes were during WWII), and therefore that they are corrupted and "ruined," just as Claudia was told they were. Finally the name "Soaphead Church" is a prime example of irony, because although the name would imply someone clean and devoted to God, Soaphead's actions are very dirty, socially unnaceptable, and even blasphemous.