Point out the use of irony and humour in the essay “Beauty Industry”.
Huxley’s
essay “The Beauty Industry” is full of humour and irony. He has
criticized modem cult of beauty in a gentle and humorous manner. He
amuses us by making interesting comparisons. In the beginning, he
remarks ironically that in America only beauty industry has remained
unaffected by economic depression. He says that he was surprised to see
the small amount of money spent on beauty products. Still American women
spend on their faces and bodies about three million pounds a week,
which is almost double the total tax income of India.
Huxley says that American women use expensive skin foods and paints to look more beautiful and charming. They think that they have a right to look after themselves. He further comments that they have the right to look less virtuous than their grandmothers. The. result of this campaign for beauty is that at least they look attractive and beautiful. They have succeeded in changing the white hair into black and golden.
Wrinkles of the face, bent backs and hollow of cheeks have disappeared because these things are considered very old now. Worhen of all ages look young. Very few old ladies are to be seen now. The writer hopes that in a few more years they will completely disappear. The old lady of the future will not be old looking, weak or miserable. She will have golden curly hair, cherry-red lips and dean legs. She will be active and smart.
The writer says that as compared to America, Europe is poor. So, European ladies can wash their faces with soap and hope for the best. He humorously remarks that in Europe, the maintenance of a face can cost as much as a Rolls Royce car. However, in Paris, this craze for beauty is more prominent. Huxley says that heavily painted faces do not look human at all. They seem to be wearing masks painted red and white. In the end, he says that this habit of over-painting cannot make them beautiful. Real beauty emerges from natural health and nobility of soul.
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