Sadie Hinton

Professor Smith

Essay 4

December 1st 2016

Comparative Analysis

Throughout history there has always been a changing image or trend for women and men. Men and women of all ages are constantly being pushed to their limits with their image. Since the creation of technology like cameras and the television people are always comparing themselves to someone else either in a photo or on the screen. People photoshop models and put them up for the world to see and idealize. With the creation of plastic surgery people also use it as an “easy” way to recreate themselves just to look like someone they wish to look like instead of just looking in the mirror and loving themselves for how they are naturally. Many people are starting to realize this and highlight it in texts, visual art and movies. 

Writers have begun to use modern texts and/or visuals to promote the idea of a harsh self-image. Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy is a narrative that legitimately goes through the life of a girl and eventually leads to cutting off limbs and death or, from a more modern perspective, body contouring and plastic surgery. Piercy takes us on a journey of constant criticism specifically to the girl’s “big nose” and “fat nose”. At first, the girl is described as “usual” which almost comes across as though she was created how she was supposed to be but later on characters are introduced that choose to pick the girl apart and make her feel as though she needs to change things about herself to be “normal” which, of course, is a complete example of today’s society with plastic surgery being available. Even if someone didn’t decide to do plastic surgery because they feel comfortable as themselves, chances are they end up changing something even if it just dyeing their hair because then you won’t find a boyfriend or people won’t like you cause the person next to you is better because of what he or she changed because apparently what’s inside doesn’t matter.

A perfect example of a movie that completely makes the idea almost comical is Shallow Hal. This movie stars Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow. Jack Black is portrayed as a shallow person, hence the name. He only sees people for what they are on the outside in the beginning at least. Eventually he meets someone, Gwyneth Paltrow, and instantly is attracted to her for what he sees and slowly actually develops feelings. Little does he know what he sees isn’t true. He sees this modern idea of what people think is ideal when really she doesn’t fit that mold but still is as amazing clearly because of the love he had developed for her. Although this is considered a comedy, it is sad knowing that there are some people out there that will only give you the time of day if you meet that current criteria. 

Barbie Doll and Shallow Hal can both be compared in a sense that they pick apart the image of a specific person, in both cases a woman. Although they don’t express it the same way, they both are trying to convey that the perfect face and perfect body doesn’t always make a person perfect. 