Concept of Beauty

The Concept of Beauty

What is beauty? Is it how one presents ones self through clothes and makeup? Or is it not so much the physical appearance but rather who they are? Beauty is a concept that many people can interpret in whichever way they please. To one, beauty can be defined as the physical aspects of a person, the way they dress or do their hair; and to another, beauty can represent what is on the inside-- their personality and how they interact with other people. There are many definitions and views of what beauty is and these interpretations are represented in both, works of literature and society.

There are articles written in today's society that show how the physical aspects of a person define who they are and how successful they become in their careers. Maggie Bullock's "Beauty and the Beat" describes how important one's physical aspects are in the media world. It seems as if, in today's world, in order to gain some kind of success or credibility, one has to fit in to what society defines as beautiful. Bullock writes, "In theory, these high achievers embody many of the virtues of modern womanhood-- they're smart, opinionated, informed, successful. But one antiquated qualification seems ever more important: looks." This demonstrates how although these female news anchors are educated people, the way they look and present themselves is far more important. The article goes on to say how good looking people will appeal more to the public, resulting in more views. It is assumed that if one is good looking, they are educated and they possess everything that could be good in a person. Although everyone knows this is not the case, news stations need people who will appeal. This article, "Beauty and the Beat" shows us how although these news anchorwomen are intelligent people, their looks some how override the qualities they embody.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's Bernice Bobs Her Hair is a work of literature that represents how people during the 1920's interpreted beauty. In Bernice Bobs Her Hair, there are two female protagonists that are complete opposites. In the beginning of the story, Marjorie is illustrated as vivacious and seductive and her cousin Bernice is illustrated as dull and boring. Marjorie is not only a seductive character but she is what people in the 1920's upper class society defined as beautiful. Bernice on the other hand, represents a character that is proper and very judgmental- she is considered to be 'old fashioned.' In the beginning of the story, no body wants to dance with Bernice at the party and Warner, who is completely infatuated with Marjorie, is stuck dancing with Bernice because Marjorie asked him to. Later in the story we see Bernice morph into a girl who is more confident and popular. She completely changed the way she acted with guys and how she does her hair and that is what made her