Susan Sontag’s "Beauty" argues that society has tied beauty mainly to women, turning it into both a burden and a tool of oppression, and calls for freeing beauty from these limiting stereotypes.
Society has unfairly linked beauty mainly to women, making it both a source of limited power and a burden. Women are judged more on how they look than on who they are or what they do, while men are valued for strength, competence, and achievements. This connection between beauty and femininity has been used to keep women dependent and undervalued. Sontag argues that beauty should be freed from these stereotypes so that it can be appreciated equally for both women and men, without being a form of pressure or oppression.
Sontag is showing how beauty, once seen as a human excellence in ancient times, has been narrowed down by modern culture and religion, especially Christianity, to something mainly expected of women. This change has made beauty less respected and has placed unfair pressure on women to focus on appearance. The essay suggests that society uses beauty to control women, making them believe that being attractive is central to their value. At the same time, this distracts from their talents, intelligence, and achievements. Sontag wants us to question these stereotypes and see beauty in a broader, more equal way — something that should not define or limit women but be appreciated freely by everyone.
Summary
In ancient Greece, beauty was seen as a kind of virtue or excellence. People were thought of as “whole persons,” where inner qualities and outer appearance were expected to match. For example, Socrates, though intelligent, brave, and honourable, was famously ugly. His ugliness taught his young followers that life is full of paradoxes.
Today, however, we clearly separate the “inside” (character and intellect) from the “outside” (physical appearance). We are often surprised when someone beautiful is also intelligent, good, and talented. This shift largely came from Christianity, which valued moral virtue over beauty. As a result, beauty became seen as something superficial and less important. Over time, beauty was mainly associated with women, which further lowered its status.
In modern societies, women are considered the “beautiful sex,” while men are described as “handsome.” This difference shows how beauty has been linked to femininity and treated as something less serious. Being called beautiful is seen as essential to a woman’s identity, unlike men, who are valued more for strength, competence, or effectiveness. This cultural expectation pressures women into caring deeply about appearance, which encourages dependence and immaturity.
The problem is not the desire to be beautiful, but the obligation society places on women to strive for it. Women are taught to see their bodies in parts, i.e. eyes, nose, waist, hair, skin, and judge each feature against impossible standards of perfection. Even if some parts are acceptable, others are always lacking. For men, by contrast, good looks are viewed as a whole, and even small imperfections can add charm.
Beauty does give power, but for women, this power is mainly about attracting men, not about doing or achieving something. It is a limited and self-cancelling power, since women cannot freely choose or refuse it without criticism. Looking attractive becomes not just a pleasure but a duty. Even successful women in politics, law, or business are expected to also “work” at being beautiful. Yet when they do, their seriousness and professionalism are questioned. Thus, women are trapped: they are criticized both for caring about beauty and for ignoring it.
Sontag concludes that the long history of associating beauty with women has helped to oppress them. Women are often dismissed as “superficial,” which is unfair and harmful. To escape this trap, women must gain some distance from beauty’s traditional role and see how it has been limited by gender stereotypes. Beauty should not be a burden tied only to femininity, but something valued more freely and equally.
Understanding
1. What is the conventional attitude about beauty that Sontag seeks to discredit?
The belief that beauty primarily belongs to women, and that it defines their identity and worth, while men are valued for their strength and achievements.
2. If beauty is a source of power, why does Sontag object to women's striving to attain it?Because this power is limited, dependent on men, and comes with pressure, it traps women instead of giving them real freedom or achievement.
3. What change in attitude do you think Sontag wants to bring about in her female readers? In male readers?Sontag wants her female readers to stop thinking that beauty is the most important part of their identity. She encourages them to see their value in their intelligence, talents, and achievements rather than in appearance. At the same time, she wants her male readers to change the way they look at women. Instead of judging women mainly by how they look, men should respect them for their character, abilities, and contributions. In this way, both women and men can free beauty from stereotypes and treat it as something natural and equal, not as a burden or a tool of control.
4. What do you think Sontag is saying to beautiful women? How do you think they would respond?
She is telling them to see beauty as only one part of who they are, not their whole worth. Some may feel relieved, but others may resist because society praises them mainly for their looks.
5. Why is it wrong to try to be beautiful?Because it becomes an obligation, not a choice. It makes women feel insecure, divides their bodies into parts to judge, and keeps them under unfair social control.
Rhetoric/Language/Writing
1. Why does Sontag begin her essay by defining the Greek attitude toward beauty?
She begins with the Greek view to show that beauty was once seen as a form of excellence for everyone, which contrasts with today’s limited and gendered view of beauty.
2. How does Sontag go about generating sympathy for women from her audience?
She explains how women are pressured to value appearance above all else, forced to judge their bodies harshly, and trapped in a system where beauty becomes a burden rather than a choice.
3. To what extent does Sontag use "giving functions" as her strategy for defining? To what extent does she use "drawing analogies"?She uses “giving functions” by explaining how beauty works in society — as a source of pressure and limited power. She also uses “drawing analogies” when she compares how beauty is seen in women and men, showing the unfair double standards.
4. Why would the Athenians find it paradoxical that Socrates was so ugly?Because they expected inner excellence, like wisdom and courage, to be matched with outer beauty. Socrates was wise and noble but physically unattractive, which went against their belief.
5. What is the tone of the essay?The tone is critical, thoughtful, and persuasive, as Sontag questions stereotypes and argues for a fairer view of beauty.
6. What is the difference between "femininity" and "feminism"?Femininity refers to the qualities or behaviours that society traditionally expects from women, such as caring about appearance. Feminism is the belief in equality between men and women and the movement to end discrimination against women.
Discussion
1. What is your personal definition of beauty?
To me, beauty means a balance of inner qualities like kindness, honesty, and confidence, along with outer appearance. True beauty shows in the way a person behaves and treats others.
2. Give two examples of people who fit your definition of beauty. Discuss their traits and characteristics related to your definition.
One example is Mother Teresa, whose kindness, compassion, and service to the poor show inner beauty. Another example is Mahatma Gandhi, whose truthfulness, simplicity, and courage reflect both moral and spiritual beauty. Their actions, not just appearances, make them beautiful.
3. Are Sontag's claims about the place of beauty in a culture applicable to Nepali culture as well? Explain your answer.
Yes, they are. In Nepali culture, too, women are often judged more for their looks than for their abilities, while men are valued for skills and achievements. This shows that beauty is still seen as more important for women, similar to what Sontag describes.
4. How are women "Damned if they do. Explain. And damned if they don't" (9)?"
If women care about beauty, they are criticized as superficial. If they ignore beauty, they are seen as unattractive or less feminine. Either way, they face unfair judgment.
5. As the world becomes more connected, what are some possible influences of television, the Internet, and other international connections on world perceptions of beauty?
Global media spreads certain beauty standards, such as slim bodies, fair skin, or specific fashions. This can make people in different cultures feel pressured to follow the same ideals, often ignoring their own natural beauty and cultural values.
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