Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection
Cosmetic Surgery, Weight Loss and Beauty in Popular Culture
By Deborah Harris-Moore | Publisher: Taylor and Francis
About the book
Against the background of the so-called ’obesity epidemic’, Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection critically examines the discourses of physical perfection that pervade Western societies, shedding new light on the rhetorical forces behind body anxieties and extreme methods of weight loss and beautification. Drawing on rich interview material with cosmetic surgery patients and offering fresh analyses of various texts from popular culture, including internationally-screened reality-television shows including The Biggest Loser, Extreme Makeover and The Swan as well as entertainment programs and documentaries, this book examines the ways in which Western media capitalize on body anxiety by presenting physical perfection as a moral imperative, while advertising quick and effective transformation methods to erase physical imperfections. With attention to contemporary lines of resistance to standards of thinness and attempts to redefine conceptions of beauty, Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection will appeal to scholars and students of popular culture, television, media and cultural studies, as well as the sociology of the body, feminist thought, body transformation and cosmetic surgery.
Editions of Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection
- EBook
- ISBN 9781317098942
- PDF
- ISBN 9781317098959
Read an Excerpt
Against the background of the so-called ’obesity epidemic’, Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection critically examines the discourses of physical perfection that pervade Western societies, shedding new light on the rhetorical forces behind body anxieties and extreme methods of weight loss and beautification. Drawing on rich interview material with cosmetic surgery patients and offering fresh analyses of various texts from popular culture, including internationally-screened reality-television shows including The Biggest Loser, Extreme Makeover and The Swan as well as entertainment programs and documentaries, this book examines the ways in which Western media capitalize on body anxiety by presenting physical perfection as a moral imperative, while advertising quick and effective transformation methods to erase physical imperfections. With attention to contemporary lines of resistance to standards of thinness and attempts to redefine conceptions of beauty, Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection will appeal to scholars and students of popular culture, television, media and cultural studies, as well as the sociology of the body, feminist thought, body transformation and cosmetic surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection about?
Against the background of the so-called ’obesity epidemic’, Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection critically examines the discourses of physical perfection that pervade Western societies, shedding new light on the rhetorical forces behind body anxieties and extreme methods of weight loss and beautification. Drawing on rich interview material with cosmetic surgery patients and offering fresh analyses of various texts from popular culture, including internationally-screened reality-television shows including The Biggest Loser, Extreme Makeover and The Swan as well as entertainment programs and documentaries, this book examines the ways in which Western media capitalize on body anxiety by presenting physical perfection as a moral imperative, while advertising quick and effective transformation methods to erase physical imperfections. With attention to contemporary lines of resistance to standards of thinness and attempts to redefine conceptions of beauty, Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection will appeal to scholars and students of popular culture, television, media and cultural studies, as well as the sociology of the body, feminist thought, body transformation and cosmetic surgery.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Gender studies, gender groups
Where can I read a sample of Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781317098942
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection?
Deborah Harris-Moore
Who is the Publisher of the book Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection?
Taylor and Francis
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Media and the Rhetoric of Body Perfection is available as ebook(ISBN 9781317098942) and pdf(ISBN 9781317098959)