ABSTRACT
Charles Edgley’s chapter is the first of three dedicated to narrative aspects of embodiment. Edgley’s chapter is itself a captivating story; the story of a people who – much like the Greek mythological figure Narcissus – have become so obsessed with their own image that they are at risk of becoming engulfed by it. Edgley’s story is one of fast slimming diet wizards, obese monsters, and “magic” beautifying technologies. In the mystical world of the commercialized healthy and fit body, saints and sinners are sorted, the sinful are rendered ugly and then, by offering a quick and easy fitness, diet, and plastic surgery plan, are offered a path for redemption – the means to live happily ever after. Edgley’s provocative analysis of the discourses common in our beauty culture imply that the American dream itself has now seemingly changed to a vision of our children and grandchildren as thinner and in “better” shape than we.
