Surface And Substance Summary

There is a salient relationship between aesthetic pleasure and the individual. Virginia Postrel's essay "Surface and Substance" argues that society must accept "that aesthetic pleasure is an autonomous good (Postrel 436)." Society as a whole must refrain from holding those with aesthetic preferences in low regards. Individual's presentations of himself or herself define his or her own form, therefore expressing their character. The perceived significance of aesthetics and individualism indicates that we as a society are free. Individuality sets individuals apart, as well as different groups of people, races, and cultures. Postrel's construction of surface in her essay "Surface and Substance" indeed promises individuality by annotating
the term fashion and delivering real-life examples of individuality through the exterior and the positive significance it leaves on society. Some may think that valuing aesthetics makes one shallow or uneducated. In fact, Postrel believes the opposite is quite true. In reality, the value of aesthetics to others may help define those lost in the crowd as his or her own individual with likes, dislikes, and an acquired personal taste. Appearance in hairstyle and clothing may help express emotion and interests. For instance, Betty (a pessimist) woke up late for work, stubbed her toe, and spilled coffee on her outfit. Her next choice in apparel may be black and her hair and make-up may be careless, thus indicating her dark dreadful mood held throughout the course of the day. Betty is blatantly exhibiting her bad mood to her co-workers through her outward appearance and demeanor. Similarly, aesthetics may help some express their cultural differences, ethnic background, and sense of taste. For example, Sally is an American Indian and is very spirited about her ethnicity inasmuch that she enjoys wearing moccasins and leather vests indicating her ancestral tribe. She, indeed, is displaying her sense of self and individuality through her unique fashion. As individuals, we should express ourselves any which way we can to remain riveting, "Cherish forever what makes you unique, ‘cuz you're really a yawn if it goes (Bette Midler)." Those with individuality should indeed flaunt it rather than camouflage it. What makes us unique keeps us interesting to others and more often desirable to associate with.
Similarly, Postrel deduces that surface is crucial in first impressions.
How one displays them self informs the other of exactly how much they respect his or her self, what genre of music they enjoy, and how practical the person actually is. For example, a 17-year-old boy walks into the classroom with a green Mohawk, safety pinned pants, and tattooed arms. Using our ultimate stereotypical minds that society has granted us we can infer that he is into punk music. If a girl walks in with a sweater tied around her neck, a tennis skirt on, and barrettes in her well-combed hair, we may come to the preconceived notion that she is prim, proper, and high-class. However, though this may seem stereotypical, it is a blunt form of individuality. These two individuals are displaying their preferences and perhaps a window into their inner lives by the use of extreme appearance, aesthetics, hairstyle, and demeanor. This is yet another example that confirms aesthetics directly execute individuality among people in today's society and present's each as different from the
other.
Character can be defined as the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing. Postrel states that the character of an individual is formed through the perception of themselves unto others. It can be calculated by adding appearance, self-satisfaction, background, and unique qualities together. How we appear to others displays our character to them- whether accurately or not. "…fashion's demands [are] not moral character but a combination of self-awareness, confidence, taste, and affiliation. How we deal with fashion's flux suggests something about our inner life (Postrel 436)." The way we as a person take on our perception of what is in fashion displays not only what we appreciate but also what we may be living through each day. Postrel is inferring that how we as people handle fashion's ever-changing habits and the way we perceive the change is displayed through our outward appearance and states something about our inward character. It can do so by allowing others to interpret what they see on the outside and reflect it into the inner life of that individual.
On the other hand, Postrel discusses that some believe that aesthetics is worthless. Quite simply put; some believe that personality and individual expression are not important to society. "To the contrary, such creativity enriches the world and affirms the worth of individuals whose pleasure it serves (Postrel 439)." She argues that creativity plays a crucial role in civilization because it keeps individuals interesting and gives a generation something to show for future generations, cultures, and societies. Without the ability to think for oneself and denote one's existence, we may as well be the same person as the person sitting to your right and left. Creativity and aesthetics cultivate human existence by displaying inner thoughts, feelings, and self-worth. Although society feels the need to express individuality through aesthetics, it also does so within the barriers of cultural norms.
Postrel does well to explain that although individuality is expressed through aesthetics, it is also within reason to the style of the time period. The accepted code of appearance and taste can be coined in the term "fashion." Fashion can be defined as a prevailing custom or style of dress, etiquette, socializing, etc. This term, while allowing individuals to still roam free in their own pleasures and distinction, has limits, and allows for what is acceptable on the public streets today with consideration to the time period. For example, it is not culturally accepted in America for one to wear a toga, a loincloth, or a large corset dress from the 17th century simply because it is not "in style." "Fashion is the process by which form seems exhausted and then refreshed… (Postrel 430)." Postrel uses fashion as a means of describing the way society as a whole expresses itself. Fashion from country to country varies and sets each society apart from the other, much as individuality sets each person apart from your average Joe. It is always changing, rearranging, and manifesting the differences we all
have. One's sense of fashion advanced with clothes, names, or objects allow for a parade of likes and dislikes. "Whether for names or clothes, fashion reflects the primacy of individual taste… (Postrel 433)." Names, like apparel, go out of fashion with the time period. However, names still do justice to one's sense of self. Names, more likely than not, correspond to an individuals' inherited faith, cultural background, and familial taste. Postrel goes on to discuss the processes by which names go out of style in her essay. She also disserts that names are inherited and therefore display a sense of individuality among families. Names also depend on race. For example, Postrel considers that many African American women use the popular La- in the first syllable and –eisha for the ending. This is in fact an instance in which different races and cultures use fashion and individual names to set them apart from others. "Through markets, media, and migration, such societies offer more outlets for creativity, more sources of new aesthetic ideas, and more chances for individuals to find and adopt the forms that please them (Postrel 433)." Societies use creativity and aesthetics to set them apart from others using different forms of individual names and different forms of fashion. Postrel accredits the self in using material objects that point-blank accomplish a sense of individuality that sets one apart from the other. Through the use of describing green pagers, names, and fashion, she effectively argues her point that aesthetics indeed create a sense of individualism in the self. Spending the premium for the green pagers delivers a sense of pleasure to those who seek it. Naming children a name that is well liked, inherited, or suiting is a prime example of our society's freedom and right to be individual. Wearing apparel and accessories that display character, fashion, culture, and preference sets one apart from another- grain slightly against the wood. Postrel allows surface and form to seduce us into the thought of individuality. She vows that each person is individual and it is displayed through outward appearance and demeanor. "Remember always that you not only have the right to be individual, you have an obligation to be one (Eleanor Roosevelt)." Society, as a whole, benefits from the ability to be creative and paramount in outward appearance and aesthetics. In Postrel's construction of surface, she indeed promises individuality to all who are willing to display it through her use of relative examples and distinctive differences in each human's life.