The Beauty Myth

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1990

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

What is the beauty myth, and how does it affect women and our society at large?

Why does Wolf argue that women themselves often subscribe to and perpetuate the beauty myth? Can women avoid doing this, and, if so, how?

The author primarily links the dissemination of the beauty myth to consumer advertising and mass culture. Do you believe that she goes far enough in her criticism of capitalism as the modern source of this concept?