Another problem that we face as a result of perceived beauty is the fact that those who are considered unattractive pose a threat to the status of the assumed beautiful people. Superficial attractive people are expected to play the part of the saints just because of their looks, and they consider ugly people to be bad in the same way.
“‘This city is a paradise, Tally. It feeds you, educates you, keeps you safe. It makes you pretty.’ Tally couldn’t help looking up hopefully at this. ‘And our city can stand a great deal of freedom, Tally. It gives youngsters room to play tricks, to develop their creativity and independence. But occasionally bad things come from outside the city’” (Westerfeld, pg. 106).
This depiction shows that Pretties feel threatened by Uglies because they are labeled as bad people. These days, people who are attractive are seen as the ones who have the most opportunities and who are the most idolized in society. Others are not given chances because nothing matters as long as they look “beautiful” according to society’s standards. Westerfeld believes that people in the future will not only discriminate those who are less fortunate in terms of looks, but they will be treated like criminals.
As humans in a morally blind society, we cannot see the harm that is being inflicted when we place seemingly attractive people on a pedestal and push the “ugly ones” to the side. We think that it’s okay to pick sides because of what the majority of people think about a certain group. It is not fair that we have to let our opinions determine how we are going to treat a person if we think that their nose is too big or that their choice in wardrobe is tacky. But it’s only human nature.
In my previous blog, I mentioned that humans value superficial beauty now more than ever. In this case, our values are changed into things that are conceited and insincere.
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