Beauty And The Beast By Michael Taussig - 950 Words

Beauty and violence; words not typically associated with one another. In the stereotypical society, beauty is perceived with a positive connotation, while violence is viewed negatively. In other words, the terms are opposites, or incompatible. This was an idea that seemed to be understood. However, the book Beauty and the Beast contradicts what we know to be true. Michael Taussig, or the author, argues there is a relationship between the believed to be separate entities of beauty and violence. A simple flower can be used to exhibit the theory. The majority of individuals would prefer fresh flowers to plastic, or artificial, flowers. Why is this? Taussig believes this is for the reason that we like the inevitable decay and death, which creates beauty (Junge 10/27). He further claims this relationship is prevalent in Colombian society, and introduces topics such as depense, cosmetic surgery, and the Devil as main points. Depense may be defined as â€Å"too-much-ness†(Junge 10/27). This notion can be witnessed in many countries, or areas; however, Taussig believes it is most widespread in Colombia. Beauty depends on this theory, as does violence. Colombian women often go to extremes to be beautiful in pursuance of men. Their hair extensions, as well as their breasts, are a symbol of depense. Where the hair used to be short and braided, it is now long and mostly false; this is too much, or wasteful. These extensions are costly, however the society continues to