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Lucy Grealy - College Papers

Lucy Grealy

At one point or another, everyone has felt shame and self-doubt about physical inferiority. In Autobiography of a
Face, 's struggle with cancer appeared minor in comparison to her feelings of repulsiveness because
of the deformity it caused. While coming to terms with who she is, the effects of society's stress on beauty and its
unforgiving cultural mirror is enhanced by her gender. Females in our society feel more compelled to adapt to the
prescribed standards of attractiveness. By means of positive and negative events, she transforms her misfortune
into a revelation about beauty and universal truths.
The confusion and loneliness of childhood began to engulf her as children began to ...

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laugh shamelessly as they pointed and blurted out insults. All of these experiences
added to the sense of shame that consumed her. Our culture's preoccupation with physical beauty is definitely
manifested in our youth and adolescents. At an early age, Lucy was exposed to the cultural drive for perfection in
exchange for acceptance.
Halloween was a treasured night for Lucy as she was growing up. It gave her an opportunity to break
out of her shell and let her true personality shine through. Behind a mask, she felt protected from any nasty
comments because no one could acknowledge her physical flaw. Without a second thought, she would ask
questions and make bold comments. One of her observations led to one of her eventual revelations. "My sister
and her friends never had to worry about their appearance, or so it seemed to me, so why didn't they always feel
as bold and as happy as I felt that night?" (120). In the long run, she recognizes that people have to come to
...

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Lucy Grealy. (2007, July 16). Retrieved June 12, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Lucy-Grealy/68097

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 7/16/2007 12:17:59 PM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1233
Pages: 5

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