Body Image Analysis
The concept of body image and fear are shown to be intricately linked in my readings. Body image is defined as how someone sees themselves in the mirror and what attitude they hold towards their body. However, concepts of body image can be influenced by societal norms like how big women are seen as nurturing, with a love of food, and a dislike of exercising. Still both women and men worry about if they have a desirable body image in their society this correlates to their level of self-confidence It is natural for people to fret over a variety of things in life which may invoke fear. Fear is an uncomfortable emotion which causes people to worry that something painful, dangerous, or uncomfortable will occur to them. In White Noise, Don DeLillo
…show more content…
When Babette is first introduced she’s described as, “tall and fairly ample; there is a girth and heft to her. Her hair… if she were a petite woman… would be too cute, too mischievous and contrived. Size gives her… seriousness. Ample women do not plan... They lack the guile for conspiracies.” (5) By this description, certain characteristics of maturity and gullibility are inferred by Jack based on Babette’s physical characteristics. Another common misconception about people with big physics is that they do not exercise and compulsively eat food. While Babette does visit the market a lot she is rarely seen eating outside of family meals. Moreover, Babette loves exercising she even teaches physical activity classes for elderly people. However, just because Babette is a physically large person she has an underlying layer of intimidation, which serves to highlight how in society if a woman does not fit into the classic stereotype then something must be wrong with her. Moreover, Babette is shown as less threatening than Jack’s ex-wives since “ample women do not plan” (5). Babette’s intelligence and competence is also called into question with statements like that, which begs to question why marry Babette. To Jack this inferred lack of competence from Babette made her an ideal choice to marry. Jack believed based on her appearance Babette would be transparent, comforting, and obedient in contrast to his previous spouses. Of course, as will later be elaborated, Jack was wrong in underestimating Babette. Based off of this knowledge it is safe to conclude that while the concept of body image is open to shallow interpretations, these inferences serve as unreliable indicators of actual personality
When Babette is first introduced she’s described as, “tall and fairly ample; there is a girth and heft to her. Her hair… if she were a petite woman… would be too cute, too mischievous and contrived. Size gives her… seriousness. Ample women do not plan... They lack the guile for conspiracies.” (5) By this description, certain characteristics of maturity and gullibility are inferred by Jack based on Babette’s physical characteristics. Another common misconception about people with big physics is that they do not exercise and compulsively eat food. While Babette does visit the market a lot she is rarely seen eating outside of family meals. Moreover, Babette loves exercising she even teaches physical activity classes for elderly people. However, just because Babette is a physically large person she has an underlying layer of intimidation, which serves to highlight how in society if a woman does not fit into the classic stereotype then something must be wrong with her. Moreover, Babette is shown as less threatening than Jack’s ex-wives since “ample women do not plan” (5). Babette’s intelligence and competence is also called into question with statements like that, which begs to question why marry Babette. To Jack this inferred lack of competence from Babette made her an ideal choice to marry. Jack believed based on her appearance Babette would be transparent, comforting, and obedient in contrast to his previous spouses. Of course, as will later be elaborated, Jack was wrong in underestimating Babette. Based off of this knowledge it is safe to conclude that while the concept of body image is open to shallow interpretations, these inferences serve as unreliable indicators of actual personality