Summary Critique Essay 1
Tacdol 1
Allyson Tacdol
Alan Cumings
English 1004.9
4 December 2014
Womens’ Compulsive Obsession
In “A Woman’s Beauty: Put Down or Power Source?” Susan
Sontag argues that women view beauty as an obligation and that they actually focus on their appearance more than who they are as a person. In the essay, Sontag provides the perspectives of both Christians and
Greeks towards beauty and compares them to the superficial views of the present. Sontag stresses that women should direct their attention to other things rather than beauty. Beauty is put at such a high standard that women feel the need to be as beautiful as the women advertised.
Basically, women endeavor to be appropriate and beautiful to attract men. Sontag also showcases that women believe that being beautiful will earn them a reputation and place in society, and that beauty brings power and success. According to Sontag, beauty is the only form of power that women are encouraged to seek. In our own time, beauty is administered as a form of selfoppression. In the process of growing up, young women may forget how intelligent they are and their aspirations in life. A woman’s success in the society s depends on good looks, which are a great advantage in life.
Tacdol 2
Sontag starts her essay with classical Greece explaining how the Greeks practiced their own methods of analyzing and critiquing women and beauty. The Greeks felt that the lack of
“inner” beauty could equalize “outer” beauty. She adds on by describing Socrates’ teachings of life and its paradoxes. After, she comments on how present day Socrates’ ideas have been rejected and separates a woman’s inner qualities and appearance. Further, Sontag takes the perspective as a woman without speaking of her personal issues or experiences she elaborates on how others’ perspective and opinions on women have greatly impacted them. Sontag analyzes the attractiveness of both women and men. She observes that women
Allyson Tacdol
Alan Cumings
English 1004.9
4 December 2014
Womens’ Compulsive Obsession
In “A Woman’s Beauty: Put Down or Power Source?” Susan
Sontag argues that women view beauty as an obligation and that they actually focus on their appearance more than who they are as a person. In the essay, Sontag provides the perspectives of both Christians and
Greeks towards beauty and compares them to the superficial views of the present. Sontag stresses that women should direct their attention to other things rather than beauty. Beauty is put at such a high standard that women feel the need to be as beautiful as the women advertised.
Basically, women endeavor to be appropriate and beautiful to attract men. Sontag also showcases that women believe that being beautiful will earn them a reputation and place in society, and that beauty brings power and success. According to Sontag, beauty is the only form of power that women are encouraged to seek. In our own time, beauty is administered as a form of selfoppression. In the process of growing up, young women may forget how intelligent they are and their aspirations in life. A woman’s success in the society s depends on good looks, which are a great advantage in life.
Tacdol 2
Sontag starts her essay with classical Greece explaining how the Greeks practiced their own methods of analyzing and critiquing women and beauty. The Greeks felt that the lack of
“inner” beauty could equalize “outer” beauty. She adds on by describing Socrates’ teachings of life and its paradoxes. After, she comments on how present day Socrates’ ideas have been rejected and separates a woman’s inner qualities and appearance. Further, Sontag takes the perspective as a woman without speaking of her personal issues or experiences she elaborates on how others’ perspective and opinions on women have greatly impacted them. Sontag analyzes the attractiveness of both women and men. She observes that women