Exploring the Beauty Myth: A Study of Representation in Frances Cha's 'If I Had Your Face'

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the issue of beauty myth. This study is entitled "Representation of Beauty Myth in Frances Cha’s If I Had Your Face". The focus of this study is to analyze the impact of Beauty Myth aspects of work, culture, violence, sex, and hunger on the lives of female characters. The object of this study is If I Had Your Face novel by Frances Cha (2020). This study shows that the work aspect has the greatest influence on women in the novel because when women enter the workforce they have to adjust their appearance. Therefore, to meet the standards, women mostly use cosmetics, go on extreme diets, and undergo cosmetic surgery. This study used qualitative approach. As a guide, the writer used the Beauty Myth theory from Naomi Wolf (1991). The results of this study indicate that aspects of work, culture, sex, violence, and hunger are harm women. In addition, women must adjust their appearance to society's standards in order to survive and earn a living.

Keywords: feminism, beauty myth, qualitative research, narrative elements.