Beyond Skin-Deep: The Relationship between Beauty Ideals and Identity Crisis in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies

Abstract

Uglies (2005) is the first in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series of novels. It is a literary work with a futuristic scenario thaP depicts a dystopian world in which people are preoccupied with unnatural standards of beauty. In a realm where science and fiction intertwine, the themes of beauty, identity, and the insidious influence of brainwashing take center stage, inviting readers to delve into the complexities of these interconnected concepts. The tapestry of the novel also involves a speculative discourse surrounding the deleterious implications of cosmetic surgery, thereby engendering an intellectual milieu wherein the ramifications of such practices are rigorously examined and debated. Drawing upon Erik Erikson's identity development theory (1950) and Henri Tajfel and John Turner's social identity theory (1979) as theoretical frameworks, this research paper aims to present an analysis of how the pursuit of beauty ideals contributes to the formation of an externally appealing but inwardly conflicted self-image.