Perception of Female Beauty in Literature Essay

Introduction

The current age has seen an acute upsurge in the value placed on the beauty of women; where the stigmatization, low esteem, and shame associated with being bad looking among women is leading to high instances of plastic surgery, and the use of cosmetics. However contrary to these 20th-century views; it should be noted that the beauty of a woman should not be based on the outward look and sexual attractiveness; but on the ability of a woman to use her intellect, initiative, and dignity to radiate an attractive personal quality. It should further be noted that this emphasis on women’s attractiveness is forcing women on plastic surgery and cosmetics; where the younger ones desire to look older and more attractive; while the older ones seek to disguise the flaws of age and maintain a youthful look.

Part of these efforts to improve their appearance is geared towards getting preference on professional grounds; attracting women; and improving their hurt senses of identity. The media is also another contributing factor to this phenomenon; where advertising and televising portray an ideal woman as being slim, highly shaped, with a well-curved waistline and hips; enforcing the erratic view of women and beauty (Brooks et.al. 23-26).

Discussion

Society has indeed placed so much emphasis on the physical appearance of women and girls; where this phenomenon can be justified through the high instance of weight loss programs, self-fashioned eating disorders in the pursuit of desired body shapes and beauty. Other indicators of this phenomenon are the high instances of cosmetic surgery and the use of cosmetics; which are associated with the pursuit of correcting or improving the looks of body parts, the victims consider not good looking enough. Another factor fueling this perspective is the selection of personnel especially customer attendance staff; based on their looks and the picture portrayed by the media, of an ideal woman (Wagner 14-45).

In the poem ‘phenomenal woman’ by Maya Angelou; the stereotypical notion of beauty is battled through the use of what she refers to as the wit of the woman; and the pride in who she is, and not what every other person wants her to be. Other ways she portrays as tools in dealing with this notion are; the personality that radiates joy, the self-confidence and portrayal of dignity; and the strong inner sense of self (Angelou 2-25).

In the poem, the “mirror” by Sylvia Plath; the author takes the place of the mirror to say that women come to her, see themselves as ugly then leave her for other consolations and comfort. According to her; after all these, they return to her in the hope that the mirror will show them a better them than they are; only to show them the face they saw in her before, which they don’t like. However, she still argues that despite the agony and grief she gets from seeing their face; they still return to her. From this work she is trying to give the idea and advice that women should better feel good about who they are and how they look; and not judge their looks based on the perception of others and the society in general, who are characteristic with like, dislike, hate, misconception or lying for own interests (Wagner 14-45).

Conclusion

There has been so much emphasis on the physical looks and attractiveness of women; which results in their pursuit to improve their appearance. As a result the incidences of cosmetic surgery, eating disorders, and the use of cosmetics whose effects are often adverse. However the best solution to the problem associated with the low opinion of beauty as from the two poems is that; women and girls should be contented with how they look, and in turn, nurture their inside beauty and personality which is more important.

Work cited

Angelou, Maya. “Phenomenal woman”: Four poems celebrating women, 1^st edition. New York: Random House Publishing. (1995): 2-25.

Brooks, Cleanth. & Warren, Robert. “Understanding Poetry”, 4^th edition. Wadsworth Publishing. 1976): 23-26.

Wagner, Linda. “Critical Essays on Sylvia Plath”. Boston: G.K. Hall & Company, 1984:14-45.