THE REPRESENTATION OF BEAUTY DISCOURSE IN SCOTT WESTERFELD’S UGLIES SERIES

Abstract

The research analyzes the construction of beauty discourse represented in the first three novel of Uglies Series (Uglies, Pretties, and Specials). The beauty discourse is produced differently by two groups which contradict each other. One constructs the beauty concept that sticks with the physical appearance which deals with the perfect distinct features. The idealized beauty which is produced requires people to enhance their appearance to be accepted by the society through surgery. The other produces the concept of beauty that has nothing to do with physical appearance but the quality of individuals that deals with the brain. The main goals of this research are to uncover the construction of beauty discourse in the novel and the ideological interest beyond it. Therefore, there are three questions which are drawn to achieve the goal. First, to find how beauty is constructed in the novel. Second, to describe how beauty is constructed in the contextual background which is the American society. The last is to reveal the ideological interest beyond the beauty construction by correlating the novel and the contextual background. Therefore, I use Stuart Hall’s theory of Representation which focuses on the encoding process and the concept of discursive model by Michel Fucoult to correlates between the discourse and power behind the beauty construction. The result of this research shows that the different construction of beauty discourse by the two groups intends the similar aim which is to gain power over the society. Both create the concept of beauty that contradicts each other through their own ways and tools to finally reach the stage of having power to dominate the society. Thus, it can be concluded that both hold the ideology of liberalism and neo-liberalism. This ideology is also closely connects with what is delivered in today’s American society in which through the construction of beauty, they intend to gain power through the concept of freedom.