Question

Will someone help me proofread my paper?

Answer 1

The first day of school is nerve-wrecking to most. Teen girls dress their best; plucking eyebrows, waxing legs, burning hair, spending money on outfits--all in hopes that they will fulfill society’s harsh, unrealistic expectation of beauty. To the 21st century person, it seems that society is more obsessed with their appearance now than ever before. However, society’s pride in aesthetic beauty has been an issue since the dawn of time. In In Geoffrey Chaucer’s medieval epic, The Canterbury Tales he uses the vain, Wife of Bath to exemplify pride, and her tale to show the negative effects of this sin; still, modern society takes such great pride in appearance that women tend to develop psychological disorders. Will humanity ever conquer the pride in aesthetics or will society continue it’s shallow ways like previous centuries?
Chaucer writes of the Wife of Bath to appear gap toothed with large hips, physically beautiful characteristics of the medieval period (Chaucer 478-483). Not only is the Wife of Bath herself beautiful, but also her garments possess aesthetic value. She seems to have the finest in life, as well as a social persona. The Wife speaks highly of herself to the Pardoner as Chaucer writes,
“’You wait’ she said ’my stories not begun/ You’ll taste another brew before I’ve done;/ You’ll find it doesn’t taste as good as ale/ and when I’ve finished telling you my tale/ of tribulation in the married life/ Of which I’ve been an expert wife’”(Chaucer 7-12).
Chaucer uses this dialogue to show just how vain and prideful the Wife of Bath is. She also flaunts about her extensive knowledge of “remedies of love’s mischance’s”(Chaucer 485)
In her dialogue to the Pardoner, she shows complete pride in herself, speaking to him as if he were of lesser value than she. The English Department at Pace University also wrote in a literary analysis that “she considered herself an authority...she uses the bible to justify her behavior” ultimately proving that she valued herself more than others (Character Analysis 2). The Wife generally thought that she was superior to everyone who crossed her path due to the fact that she filled the role of an aesthetically pleasing woman: society’s obsession.
In The Wife of Bath’s Tale, she continues to speak of society’s vanity. The knight has agreed to marry the elderly woman who gave him the answer to save his life (Chaucer 1071). The knight thinks poorly of his “old, and loathsome--and descended…such a lowly” wife (Chaucer 110-1101). The knight is continuing to be condescending towards his wife. He wishes that his wife were more young and beautiful, traits that society has been infatuated with for centuries. As Chaucer writes this tale, he shows the reader how medieval society took extreme pride in women’s appearance; clearly something that has had little to no change to modern society.
As mentioned before, modern society still prides it self on beauty. Society pushes it’s unrealistic ideal of beauty everywhere through social media and television (Fields2). Women in Venezuela are even being influenced to purchase clothing through “bustier mannequins” (Cortez 2). Through these ads women are subliminally told of what the perfect woman looks like: tall, thin, and symmetrical. It appears that women of the 21st century are punished if they do not naturally fit into this beauty stigma set by modern society. Women today, who fit into this standard of beauty that society prides it self on have more advantages. Dina Spector of Business Insider writes of these advantages in her article “8 Scientifically Proven Reasons Life is Better if You’re Beautiful”. Spector spends much time elaborating on beautiful people being more persuasive. She states that people who do fit into the standard of beauty set by society can hold the attention of an audience with their sex appeal and fluent speak, regardless if they’re speaking logically or not. This compared to the Wife of Bath, a woman fitting into the beauty standard of her time, who used her body to influence her husband to pity for her which she does only to gain control over him (“Character Analysis” 2).
Society has pushed it’s pride in beauty as far as reaching into the work force. Many a person would think that possessing physical beauty has little to do with obtaining a job. However, society has become so prideful in beauty that women who do not wear makeup may not land a job. Virginia Tech University posted an article to their Career Services page. The article gives several tips on job interview appearance, in hopes that they would create more successful students. Whilst reading this article, one can see many instances in which society pushes beauty in women. The informational article insinuates “image is critical” and continues to push the importance of physical beauty. In a section specifically written for women it suggests to wear makeup for a more “polished look” as it is “better than none” (Interview Appearance and Attire 1-6).
The New York Times published a business article in 2005 over viewing women, specifically cheerleaders, who are hired as pharmaceutical sales representatives. The article explains that many of the sales representatives are “frequently female and invariably good looking” (“Gimme an Rx! Cheerleaders Pep Up Drug Sales” 1). The article continues to explain that cheerleaders are usually recruited right out of college by drug companies, regardless of major. These “wholesomely sexy drug representatives” and former cheerleaders clearly satisfy society’s vain taste as they convince numerous doctors to purchase their product with their natural “seductive inducements” (“Gimme an Rx! Cheerleaders Pep Up Drug Sales” 1-2).
It appears evident that women who do not naturally fit into this beauty stigma are punished as they attempt to achieve the perfect look. Many women are so willing to fit in that they will go to such extreme measures like getting body altering surgery, thus creating a psychological disorder known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
Since the dawn of time, the human race has always looked for an easier, quicker way to achieve particular things. Recently, the world of plastic surgery has had an increasing demand for cosmetic surgery as it is known as a quick fix to achieve the perfect look . Before a procedure may begin the patient must undergo consultation in which the practicing surgeon will determine if he or she is seeking the surgery for right reasons. If the surgeon does not find the patient to be psychological fit for the surgery, he or she will be referred to a psychiatrist for further consultation (Tadisina 1-2).
Though women who have decided to go under the knife have been satisfied with the particular enhanced body part, many women are not emotionally satisfied with their body (Dittman 1). People who undergo cosmetic surgery tend to be less satisfied with their bodies than before, eventually developing into Body Dysmorphic Disorder, as it is fifteen percent more likely to occur plastic surgery patients (Tadisina 2). In a British medical journal, Dr. Tadsina describes the symptoms of BDD as “excessive requests for aesthetic surgery, dissatisfaction with pervious surgeries expectations that surgery will solve all of their problems, [and] preoccupation with one defect” (Tadisina 2). Although women who do agree to achieving beauty standards via plastic surgery will satisfy society’s pride, the patient her self will not be happy, as cosmetic surgery has helped very few people in overcoming BDD (Dittman 1-2). Many studies have even found that dissatisfaction in cosmetic procedures have been linked to higher rates in suicide. In Melissa Dittman’s Article she states, “The National Cancer Institute found in 2001 that women with breast implants were four times more likely to commit suicide than other plastic surgery patients” (Dittman 1).
Not only is the American society obsessed with vanity; Venezuela has had increasing rates in plastic surgery. The Miss Venezuela pageant may be the biggest event in the Latin American country; consequently, leaving a great influence in the country. Osmel Sousa, director of this parade of pride, is said to be the man responsible to setting the standard of beauty. Sousa claims, “inner beauty does not exist; it is an excuse that un-pretty women invented to justify themselves”. (Cortez 3). Sousa’s statement alone is proof that society puts little value on anything but physically beauty; diminishing the confidence of many women everywhere.
Geoffrey Chaucer writes of vanity in the medieval period in his epic The Canterbury Tales. Its evident that society has always had an extreme sense of pride in appearance, specifically in women, as it is still commonly found.

Answer 2

Message me your email address and ill send you a proofread with comments if you'd like.