In "Beauty" by Jane Martin, the protagonist, a woman named Beauty, grapples with society's narrow standards of beauty and her own self-perception. Through a series of monologues, Beauty reflects on the ways in which she has tried to conform to these standards, both physically and emotionally, and the toll it has taken on her.
The play begins with Beauty describing her childhood, when she first became aware of the importance placed on physical appearance. She recalls being told by her mother to "stand up straight" and "tuck in [her] stomach," and feeling self-conscious about her freckles and the size of her nose. As she grew older, Beauty became more and more obsessed with her appearance, dieting and exercising to achieve the "perfect" body.
However, despite her efforts, Beauty still feels that she falls short of society's standards of beauty. She talks about the constant judgment and criticism she faces, both from strangers and from those closest to her. She admits to feeling jealous of other women who seem to embody these standards, and to feeling inadequate when she compares herself to them.
Throughout the play, Beauty touches on the various ways in which society reinforces these narrow standards of beauty. She talks about the influence of the media, with its constant images of thin, conventionally attractive women, and the pressure to conform to these ideals. She also discusses the ways in which the beauty industry profits from people's insecurities, selling products and procedures that promise to make people more attractive.
Despite the toll that these standards have taken on her, Beauty ultimately finds hope and empowerment in rejecting them. She realizes that the pursuit of an impossible standard of beauty is futile, and that true beauty comes from within. She encourages other women to embrace their unique qualities and to reject the judgment of others.
"Beauty" is a powerful and thought-provoking play that highlights the ways in which society's narrow standards of beauty can impact people's self-perception and self-worth. It encourages audiences to challenge these standards and to celebrate their own unique beauty.
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