Abstract
This paper discusses the message in Naomi Wolf's book, "The Beauty Myth", explaining that Wolf puts forward the provocative argument that the ideal of beauty in modern culture is nothing but the latest method of keeping women in a subservient role within the patriarchy. She sees the ubiquitous images of female beauty that pervade our culture as being part of a vicious backlash against the successes of feminism, arguing that this beauty myth functions to keep women convinced that they are worth less than men, and thus maintains the current economic system.

Tags:beauty, myth, women

Abstract
This paper explores why physical beauty is an important part of finding somebody attractive. The paper goes through why, from an evolutionary standpoint, physical beauty is important, and how infatuation is evidence that physical beauty is engrained in us, both from a societal standpoint and from our early childhood experiences.

From the Paper
"Despite all talk of "beauty in the eye of the beholder," one must still agree that beauty- namely, physical beauty- is still an important part of what kind of people we find attractive. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," might be true in terms of some people's preferences, but really, what we term "beautiful" is based upon the agreement of many beholders, over certain periods of time and based in our evolutionary history. Our preferences as a culture (the American culture) change slightly, but it all goes back to the fact that we do place a lot of emphasis on the physical when it comes to choosing mates."

Tags:physical beauty, society, attraction

Abstract
This paper examines Alice Walker's essay, "Beauty: When the other Dancer is the Self" that is a brief summary of how her perception of beauty has had an impact on her internal life. The paper looks at how Walker describes how, when she was young and perfect in her own eyes, she was confident and this confidence was lost when she perceived herself as greatly flawed. The paper asserts that regardless of what Walker wants the reader to take away from this essay, the ending reminds the reader that even her alleged acceptance of her remaining flaw is flawed in itself.

From the Paper
"Alice Walker's essay "Beauty: When the Dancer is the Self" is about how people respond to an individual's physical appearance. However, it is also about how she behaves when her perception of her own beauty is challenged. Walker brings the reader through the stages in her life that begin with the quietly self-assured belief in oneself that exists in childhood, through the accident-related doubts that come in preadolescence, to the changes in her self-perception as she matures and grows. The essay ends by relating a conversation between Walker and her daughter, creating a temporal "loop" back to acceptance again."

Tags:walker, beauty, mothers

Abstract
The paper uses Hamermesh and Biddle's analysis "Beauty and the Labor Market" in this discussion of discrimination in the labor market. The paper looks at whether there is a relationship between beauty and levels of earnings as determined by Hamermesh and Biddle. The paper comments on the findings of this 1994 analysis and also examines why it is incomplete.

From the Paper
"Hamermesh and Biddle's 1994 analysis of the relationship between beauty and economics, entitled "Beauty and the Labor Market," hypothesized that there were indeed correlations between levels of attractiveness and wage-earnings. Through their analysis of three surveys (one Canadian [1981], two American [1977, 1971]), the authors determined that wage premiums (higher wages) were associated with advanced levels of attractiveness, and that wage penalties (lower wages) were linked to reduced ranks of beauty. One noteworthy finding of the study was that "men's looks may have slightly larger effects on their earnings than do women's" (Hamermesh and Biddle 1187)."

Tags:beauty, wages, economics

Abstract
This paper discusses how Lord Byron's poem, "She Walks in Beauty" is written in the tradition of Romanticism. It also describes elements of English Romanticism and how they apply to the poem.

From the Paper
"There are several elements which offer proof that Lord Byron's poem "She Walks In Beauty" is indeed English Romanticism a term which Wood describes as loosely applicable to a literary and artistic movement of ..."

Tags:Lord, Byron, poem, Romanticism, Beauty, She, walks, in, beauty, Romanticism

Abstract
The paper is about how the perception of beauty has changed and how people from different cultures define beauty. It offers a look at how this has changed through philosophy, culture, and society.

From the Paper
"One of the greatest beauties is the beauty of people. It can be expressed both in inner and outer qualities. Outer beauty has been admired in all cultures whether it is the pure natural human form or the use of attractive costumes and paints. Whereas people's inner beauty expresses itself through their character. The standards of what is beautiful might vary from culture to culture and from time to time, but there is something that does not change - all human beings crave for beauty. No matter how different is the vision of beauty in the different cultures, everybody wants to be beautiful and attractive, because to be beautiful is to be desired. Since people existed, they were exposed to the subjective standards of beauty and that most of the people strive to live up the beauty ideals of their society."

Tags:beauty, women

Abstract
The paper discusses how we live in a society in which demands for equality abound. At some point, the rights and privileges associated with the white heterosexual man between the ages of 25 and 40 became associated with the perfect life. At the same time, it seemed that a trend began. The paper describes how hyphenated Americans began their quest for the apparently ideal lifestyle that had been withheld from them. Women, gays and lesbians began their own efforts to achieve this same equality outside of gender and sexual preference. The paper concludes that despite it all, the beauty pageant still survives.

Tags:pageant, media, beauty

Abstract
This paper discusses editing, mise en scene, pace, and illusion in American Beauty, and how these elements contribute to the overall effect of the movie. The paper further discusses the characters, symbols and style of the film.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this essay is to examine the elements of editing that contribute to the overall effect of the film "American Beauty". A basically mise-en-scene film, this movie showcases the talent of a director and editor who employed both formalist and realist techniques to create compelling drama about one man's movement toward death after years of futility. The illusion created is of time moving rapidly, slowing and then stopping forever for Lester Burnham, the film's protagonist. In this film Lester and Carolyn..."

Tags:American Beauty, film, editing

Abstract
This paper offers a critique of the film "American Beauty" from the perspective of the social theory of anomie, developed by Robert Merton. It looks at the different responses of the characters to a sense of alienation and isolation.

From the Paper
American Beauty a film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball has been characterized as an assault on the emotional sleepwalking that all too often passes for life in the American suburb ..."

Tags:film, anomie, Robert Merton, American Beauty

Abstract
This paper analyzes the 1946 French film, "Beauty and the Beast" directed by Jean Cocteau, based on an 18th century fairy tale. It begins with a description of the basic storyline. It continues to discuss Cocteau's magical imagery that makes the film visually stunning. The author also compares it to 1991 the Disney cartoon version. In conclusion, it argues that the Cocteau version is truer to the spirit of the original tale and a much better film.

From the Paper
""Beauty and the Beast", the film directed by Jean Cocteau is considered a master piece by critics and viewers alike. Drawing inspiration from the rich world of fairy tales, Cocteau employs stunning cinematography techniques to create a magical and romantic story ..."

Tags:beauty and the beast, cocteau