While reading Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, I noticed that the Uglies believe strongly that they're ugly, even though they look like we do. They don't even consider that they might be pretty. Being a "natural pretty" is just so ridiculous to them. By being told that they're ugly, they just look at themselves compared to pretty standards.
This is an example of how people don't question what they're told, even when they're ugly, in this society. No one has ever questioned what they're told. If they're told that they're Ugly, they call themselves ugly. For them, it hurts to look in the mirror.
If they're told that the Rusties, which is what they call us, the people before their society, were crazy, war-ridden, violent people, they look at them with disgust. They don't even wonder what or why these wars were fought. If everyone was pretty, it wouldn't have made a difference. Wars aren't fought over people being equally gorgeous- they're fought over corrupt and cruel rulers, disagreements, or differences in beliefs. They never considered that rusties fought over important things. They're told that rusts were crazy, so they don't look further. This society has created generations that don't question, even before they're pretty and have their way of thinking changed by the legions.
When Tally defended the operation, she said that it cured the world of envy and made everyone equal. But it's still not equal. Everyone's lives, thoughts, and information is controlled. If you can't decide your path, then what is the purpose of equality? These people don't wonder about anything because it's a way of life for them. They were taught to think inside the box. They were taught to believe why their society tells them.
This definitely makes me feel very free. To lead and independent life with my own free will, my own thoughts, and the ability to stand up for what I believe in feels like a privilege compare to Tally's world. This shows us how humans need to wonder if something seems right to them. Not here, but in other countries where maybe people are controlled more. humans i those places or situations need to ask, "Can I decide what I want in my life, or is it chosen?"
This is great! If you really think about it, there are some things in our world that we're told and take for granted that they are for real. Say that one of our teachers (this is just an example) was explaining something we didn't understand. They could say something completely false but we might believe it because we don't actually know the correct way of doing it. Although I haven't read the book, I think Scott Westerfeld might be exaggerating this fact in his story, to show us that there's a lot in OUR world that we are oblivious to. Great response!
ReplyDeleteIts ridiculous that people can consider some ugly and some pretty and that people can actually believe that. I agree with you that we, when compared to people in other countries are very free. People shouldn't ever just listen and agree even if there may be doubt. What difference then would one be to robots if one does not question things in the world?
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