The Burden of Beauty
"There Was This Really Fat Girl"
By. Carla M. Pacis
In this young adult fiction, the protagonist, a teenage girl named Ana, despises the look of her body and is influenced by her family, friends, and the people who surround her. This claim is supported by the line introduced in the story’s first paragraph, which states, “Ana thought her body was too hideous to have a look at every day.” Her mother makes casual remarks about Ana's appearance, labeling it "baby fat" and asking when she would lose the extra weight. Her father, on the other hand, tries to console Ana by making backhanded comments: “Her father always came to her defense and would say, ‘She's not fat. She's what people call pleasantly plump’." Her family’s views on her body fuel Ana’s self-hatred. Her best friend Kat, who embodies popular perfection with a model-thin body, only adds fuel to the fire, especially since she is the character who persuaded Ana to start taking the "Bangkok pills," which could help her lose weight quickly, just in time to fit into her favored prom dress. Ana is understandably naive given her young age; it just so happens that she is taught that her body is unacceptable. One cannot blame her for thinking this way about her physical appearance and going to such lengths to meet society's standard of beauty. This perfectly aligns with the constructivist theory of truth, which suggests that what a person considers true is shaped by his society. Because of the pressure from her surroundings, Ana comes to believe that her body is something she shouldn't have. From a Christian perspective, the body we are born into serves as an essential vessel for navigating the world, designed by God Himself. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, ‘Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies’. Our bodies were never made or intended to fit beauty standards or look a certain way. Our bodies were made so that we could smell lavenders, hug our loved ones, watch the sunset, surf on the ocean’s waves, and eat good food. Our bodies are our home, not accessories and unless it is risking our health, there is no reason for us to change it.
Summary:
In "There Was This Really Fat Girl" by Carla M. Pacis, the protagonist faces immense societal pressure to adhere to unrealistic beauty standards, especially as she prepares for the significant event of prom. Her struggle to fit in drives her to consider extreme measures, such as using diet pills, which highlights the severe impact of these beauty ideals on her physical health and mental well-being. The narrative explores her deep emotional and psychological turmoil, rooted in external pressures from family and peers, illustrating the harmful effects of societal expectations on self-perception. From a philosophical perspective, the story invites reflection on the nature of self-worth and the value of authentic self-acceptance versus societal approval. It emphasizes the importance of adopting a holistic view that encompasses diverse body types and personal identities, rather than conforming to narrow beauty ideals. Pacis critiques prevailing norms and advocates for a broader acceptance of diverse body types, suggesting that true beauty lies in embracing one’s authentic self. By portraying these struggles, the story not only promotes body positivity but also encourages readers to question and redefine contemporary beauty standards, underscoring that self-worth and beauty should be viewed through a more inclusive and compassionate lens.
Linguistic context analysis:
Carla M. Pacis employs the use of language in ‘There Was This Really Fat Girl’ quite deliberately as a way of portraying the main character’s conflict with the conventional norms of what a woman should look or be like. The choice of the term ‘fat’ is quite meaningful as the author recreates the hatred and infamous attitude of society towards individuals who do not meet societal expectations and beauty norms. The use of this word is repeated throughout the narrative to demonstrate how society objectifies the protagonist. The simplicity of the title suggests the basic premise of the story, which is to emphasize the point of the judgment of body image. Many late-modernist texts contain colloquial and harsh descriptors; such words symbolize the societal oppression of fatties and illustrate how banal language impacts their daily lives. On the level of the plot, the visual narrative is consistent with the philosophical aspect of the book, which is the contrast between individual identity and social recognition. Through reflective and frequently ambiguous self-narration, the enactment of the heroine captures the conception of the conflict inherent in the theme of the work – the rejection of the self versus compliance with people’s expectations. Pacis employs the contrast between the protagonist’s stream of thoughts and the language of the people around to signify this duality, meaning that the hostility is not only from the outside world but also within the main character. This can be compared to the existential-phenomenological and Marxist perspectives of existence where one is trying to find who they are, and what they should be in a world that only provides ready-made labels. Posted dialogismos told by more hostile characters clashing with the inner monologue of the voiced protagonist create a dissonance that may challenge readers to ponder upon language's effects on self-esteem. Biblically, it can be related to the concept stated in Genesis 1:27, where people are made in the likeness of God and therefore, physical attractiveness should not define people’s worth.
Biographical Context Analysis:
Carla M. Pacis, a Filipino writer, brings a unique perspective to her work influenced by her cultural background and personal experiences. Her biography provides valuable insights into the themes and messages explored by her own personal experiences. The author's own experiences with body image, self-esteem, or societal pressures have shaped the narrative and the characters' struggles. The story delves into themes of body image, self-acceptance, societal expectations, and the challenges faced by individuals who don't conform to beauty standards. The protagonist's character development and her relationships with others are shaped by the author's understanding of Filipino culture and personal experiences. By analyzing the biography of Carla M. Pacis, we can gain a deeper understanding of the context in which “There Was This Really Fat Girl” was written. In addition, Aristotle viewed humans as "rational animals," capable of reflecting on their actions, making moral decisions, and understanding their purpose. In this context, the protagonist's struggles with body image and societal pressures can be seen as part of the human condition—balancing emotional responses with rational thought. As a rational creature, the protagonist has the ability to question societal beauty standards and seek self-acceptance by looking beyond external judgments to embrace her inherent worth. This analysis can help us appreciate the author's unique perspective, the themes explored in the story, and the cultural and personal influences that shaped the narrative.
Sociocultural Context Analysis:
The literary text “There Was This Really Fat Girl” by Carla M. Pacis highlights the significant role of the environment in shaping one’s perspective and beliefs. For instance, Ana believes that being fat automatically correlates with being ugly, leading her to try to conform to society's standards, even at the risk of harming herself. Ana fears being judged by society because she doesn't fit into its narrow definition of beauty. Her desperation to fit in pushes her to consider extreme measures, such as risking her health. Ana’s fear of bullying due to her appearance prevents her from recognizing the true essence of beauty. The Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10627) underscores the importance of preventing and addressing bullying, including cyberbullying, in educational institutions, reinforcing that no matter what someone looks like, society has no right to degrade or judge them for who they are.
Furthermore, Ana's insecurities are rooted from her family's remarks, and while her friends Kat and Mikey are loving and supportive, they unintentionally contribute to her struggles. Kat encourages Ana to take "Bangkok Pills" to lose weight and arranges for her to meet her prom date, Santi Ibanez, in a dress that humiliates her. Santi’s reaction only adds to Ana’s shame, leading her to take the pills. Although Mikey and Kat meant well, they fail to recognize the harm they cause by pushing Ana to conform to societal standards of beauty. Nevertheless, Ana has the power to make her own choices, but her environment plays a crucial role in shaping her decisions because one overlooked factor in the piece is that Ana is in her adolescent stage, to which she is easily held captive by peer pressure. Carla Pacis uses the final line of the story, where Santi jokes about a thin girl, to show that societal beauty standards are futile to dwell on. Whether one is thin or fat, there will always be judgment, reinforcing the idea that true beauty is something that transcends physical appearance.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the story ”There Was This Really Fat Girl” by Carla M. Pacis is a story about a teenager named Ana who’s really afraid of looking at her reflection because of how she sees herself by her appearance and compares it to the toxic beauty standards of the society. Ana was pressured to lose some weight because of the upcoming prom night that they all had waited for, Ana expected to wear a gown that she was eyeing on but was discouraged to wear so because she needed to lose 10 pounds of her weight. As 1 Timothy 4:8 states “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important. It promises a reward in both this life and the next.” this means exercising and staying in shape is a good thing, but God expects us to stay in shape spiritually, this scripture could help Ana realize what is to have a godly perspective on what true beauty is. Neither so, Kat whose Ana’s best friend who has the opposite of her appearance, shared that she saw an article on losing weight in a short period but isn't approved by many and even the country, according to RA 3720 This Act shall be known as the "Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act." Section 2. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure a safe and good quality supply of food, drugs, and cosmetics, and to regulate the production, sale, and traffic of the same to protect the health of the people. Ana thought of it for a long time because she knew that her mother wouldn't agree if she’d take down pills to lose weight. In the following days, Ana struggled to find a partner for the prom but was offered by Kat that she knows someone who would like to be her partner for prom when the boy faced Ana she was judged by his friends and Ana felt humiliated. Ana was encouraged to drink the pills, as driven by the time the pill was effective Ana did lose some weight but as time went by the side effects of the pills were noticeable such as Ana losing focus, one time when Ana was talking to Kat she loses his consciousness and woke up in the school clinic she felt so light and weak and then the school nurse and her mother found out that Ana was taking diet pills that she shouldn't be taking. As a result, Ana was advised to rest for days and wasn't able to attend the junior prom that she awaited, she tried to plan to sneak out but her body just couldn't do it and she chose to sleep. By the next day, her friends including the person who was supposed to be her date for the prom got friends with him.
This literary piece goes to shed light of the prevailing issue between man and self as well as man and society. It aims to have readers acknoweledge the limitation one should have not to fall into what we call the "devil's trap" in society in which instead of bringing forth betterment, it leads to a domino effect of toxicity, hindering personal growth.
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