Beauty Jane Martin Analysis
It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes that beholder is one’s own self. Sometimes when one look in the mirror, they aspire to more than what they are—prettier, skinnier, or thicker. The media plays a big part in that, for it glorifies beautiful, Coca-Cola bottle figured women. The conflict and plot in Jane Martin’s short play Beauty displays how one could be blind to their own value because of jealousy.
The two main characters are Bethany and Carla. In the play, Carla is the pretty one and Bethany is the less attractive, smart one. They remind me of me and my friend. Even though we are equally smart and attractive in the face, her curvy figure is more eye-catching in a male’s eye than my pencil-like figure and my grades …show more content…
are better than hers. Therefore, she would be the pretty one and I would be the smart one.
In addition, The conflict in the story was internal, for Bethany was jealous of Carla’s beauty.
When the play started, Carla was on the phone with a man she only met once, who was madly in love with her. Because of her beauty, Carla has multiple boyfriends and have a lot of men falling all over her. Bethany—not as attractive, on the other hand—does not.
Furthermore, Bethany was successful and Carla thought that was better than being beautiful.
CARLA. You’re the one with the $40,000 job straight out of school. You’re the one who has published short stories. I’m the one hanging on by her fingernails in modeling. The one who has creeps calling her on the phone. The one who had to have a nose job. (1.1.57-59)
However, Bethany wanted nothing more but to be as beautiful as her friend. Finding that genie lamp was the perfect opportunity for her dream to come true. Deep down, I used to feel the way Bethany felt. I knew I was pretty, but I was also skinny; which doesn’t cut it in today’s society. As stated before, everyone wants to have a Coca-Cola bottle figure, and for a long time I did too.
In conclusion, Beauty showed how discontentment because of jealousy could block someone’s value. The play didn’t tell what happened after the wish, but I’m sure Bethany would’ve appreciated herself afterwards. I’m sure she would’ve loved the skin she was
in.
The two main characters are Bethany and Carla. In the play, Carla is the pretty one and Bethany is the less attractive, smart one. They remind me of me and my friend. Even though we are equally smart and attractive in the face, her curvy figure is more eye-catching in a male’s eye than my pencil-like figure and my grades …show more content…
are better than hers. Therefore, she would be the pretty one and I would be the smart one.
In addition, The conflict in the story was internal, for Bethany was jealous of Carla’s beauty.
When the play started, Carla was on the phone with a man she only met once, who was madly in love with her. Because of her beauty, Carla has multiple boyfriends and have a lot of men falling all over her. Bethany—not as attractive, on the other hand—does not.
Furthermore, Bethany was successful and Carla thought that was better than being beautiful.
CARLA. You’re the one with the $40,000 job straight out of school. You’re the one who has published short stories. I’m the one hanging on by her fingernails in modeling. The one who has creeps calling her on the phone. The one who had to have a nose job. (1.1.57-59)
However, Bethany wanted nothing more but to be as beautiful as her friend. Finding that genie lamp was the perfect opportunity for her dream to come true. Deep down, I used to feel the way Bethany felt. I knew I was pretty, but I was also skinny; which doesn’t cut it in today’s society. As stated before, everyone wants to have a Coca-Cola bottle figure, and for a long time I did too.
In conclusion, Beauty showed how discontentment because of jealousy could block someone’s value. The play didn’t tell what happened after the wish, but I’m sure Bethany would’ve appreciated herself afterwards. I’m sure she would’ve loved the skin she was
in.