The Misconception of Beauty　　美丽的迷思

The Misconception of Beauty美丽的迷思

Most girls find role models to look up to at different stages of their lives. Usually, their first role models are their mothers. Next might be their older sisters. After that, it is likely to be some kind of celebrity. As girls grow up, the role models they pick often reflect how they feel about themselves. These people can either help or hinder their development and self-esteem. Unfortunately, few girls can find good individuals to follow these days.
Since the beginning of film, movie stars have had an impact on the world. People aim to copy their styles, looks, and characters. Some classic examples are Marilyn Monroe and Greta Garbo. In their day, curves were what every woman wanted. An hourglass figure was considered very beautiful, and women did everything they could to achieve that look. Not much has changed in how people react to actresses these days. However, what has changed a lot is people's idea of beauty. Fashion magazines and runways are full of extremely thin women. Unlike before, the ideal figure is now ultra straight and skinny. While some girls are naturally that way, most are not. The natural, curvy figure that women used to treasure has become something to be ashamed of in the present day.

大部份的女孩在人生中的不同阶段都会寻找一个可以看齐的典范。通常而言，她们心中的第一位榜样就是自己的母亲。再来也许是她们的姊姊。接著，很有可能是某个领域中的名人。随著女孩长大，她们所选择的表率通常会反映出她们对自己的观感。这些人物对女孩的成长及自尊可能会是助力，也可能会是阻力。但不幸的是，近来只有少数女孩找得到合适的人物来追随仿效。
自从有电影以来，电影明星就对世界造成了相当的影响。人们把模仿这些明星的风格、外表和个性当作目标。一些经典的范例当属玛丽莲·梦露和葛丽泰·嘉宝。在她们那个年代，每个女人所梦寐以求的就是玲珑有致的身材曲线。沙漏型的身材被视为是美丽的，因此女生会竭尽所能来达成这样的外型。如今人们对女演员的这种反应并无太大的改变。然而，改变甚大的却是人们对美的观念。时尚杂里和伸展台上在在都是一些骨瘦如柴的女性。不同於以往，现在的理想体型是极度平直而且削瘦。尽管有些女性生来就是那样，但大部份的人却并非如此。女生过去所珍视的自然且凹凸有致的体态现在却变得令人可耻。

1. look up to + 人尊敬／仰慕某人
   I look up to my father because he is kind and stands up for what he believes in.
   我很尊敬我父亲，因为他不但为人善良，也会捍卫自己的信念。
2. hindervt. 阻碍，妨碍
   The basketball player's career has been hindered by several injuries.
   那位篮球员的职业生涯被数起运动伤害所阻。
3. self-esteemn. 自尊，自尊心
   People will think it is acceptable to walk all over you if you don't have any self-esteem.
   如果你毫无自尊心的话，人们会觉得骑到你头上也没关系。
4. have an impact on...对.......有影响
   How Jim's stepfather treated him had an impact on his behavior towards other people.
   吉姆的继父对待他的方式在他对别人的行为举止上造成了影响。
5. aim to + 原形动词目标是（做）.......
   Karen aims to become a famous writer, so she signed up for a creative writing program.
   凯伦的目标是成为一位名作家，因此她报名参加一门创意写作的课程。
6. skinnya. 削瘦的，皮包骨的
   David worked out with weights to add muscle to his skinny arms.
   大卫做重量训练来把他瘦弱的手臂练壮。
7. naturallyadv. 天生地，自然地
   Miranda has naturally curly hair, but she wishes it were straight instead.
   米兰达的头发是自然卷，但她却希望自己是直发。
8. treasurevt. 珍视，珍惜
   Even though we are worlds apart now, I will always treasure our time together in Paris.
   虽然我们现在相隔万里，但我永远都会珍惜我们在巴黎共度的时光。
9. be ashamed of + 名词／动名词 对........感到羞愧／愧疚
   Kenny was ashamed of losing his temper in front of everyone.
   肯尼对於自己在大家面前动怒感到羞愧。

misconception n. 错误印象，误解 role model n. 典范，模范 curve n. 曲线 hourglass figure n. 沙漏型身材 runway n. 伸展台 ultra a. 极度的，极端的 curvy a. 有曲线的

打破媒体塑造的刻板框架做与众不同的自己最美 英国知名时尚杂《Harpers & Queen 哈泼与女王》曾挑选出二十世纪百大美女。我们从这份名单中可以窥见，美的定义会随著时代不断改变，1920 年代流行束胸、短发与大胆浓妆，冷艳又带有中性风格的葛泰丽·嘉宝便是典型的例子。到了战後，人们改为崇尚素雅的穿著、清瘦的身段和棱角分明的五官，代表明星如优雅脱俗的 Audrey Hepburn（奥黛莉·赫本）。1950 和 1960 年代则吹起性感风潮，丰唇与沙漏型身材大行其道，迷你裙也乘时兴起，像玛丽莲·梦露这样的性感尤物就被当时的女性所争相仿效。由这些型态截然不同的美女可以看出，人们对『美』并没有一个客观标准，因此想符合媒体所鼓吹的单一美丽形象是不切实际的，只有做与众不同的自己才是最美。况且，真正的美是由内心而生的，正 如奥黛莉·赫本所言∶『For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.（要有美丽的双眸，请找寻别人的优点；要有吸引人的双唇，就只能说善意的言语；要有沈著自信的态度，跨出步伐相信自己从不孤独。）』。