Literary approaches to the theory of thinness aesthetics

Abstract

In this research we will address the negative view of female beauty canons. In addition, we will study what Bourdieu call the ‘paradox of the doxa’ and Barthes' notion of second-level meaning, which apparently contribute to sustaining the tyranny of female beauty. In contrast, we will delve into Lipovetsky's theory of the aesthetics of thinness, which considers thinness a symbol of self-control, success and self-management. In other words, thinness would translate the feminine desire for emancipation and equality. Thus, we will start from this theory to analyze some works by Najat El Hachmi, a hybrid and "atravesada" author, which will allow us to analyze the different conceptions of thinness in two cultures.