When is discrimination shown in uglies?
Discrimination is shown in Uglies in various forms:
1. Pretties vs. Uglies: The society is divided into two main groups - Pretties and Uglies. Pretties are those who have undergone cosmetic surgery to conform to societal beauty standards, while Uglies are those who have not. This creates a clear distinction and discrimination against Uglies.
2. Age Discrimination: The novel presents a society where individuals must undergo surgery at a certain age to become Pretties. This implies that youth and physical appearance are highly valued, while older individuals may face discrimination based on their age.
3. Physical Appearance: The society in Uglies places immense importance on physical appearance. Those who do not fit the conventional standards of beauty are subject to discrimination and negative treatment. This reinforces the idea that one's worth is based on their physical attributes rather than their personality or other qualities.
4. Social and Economic Privilege: Pretties enjoy significant social and economic privileges compared to Uglies. They have access to better education, jobs, and social status, while Uglies are often marginalized and face limited opportunities.
5. The Tally System: The novel introduces the Tally system, which assigns numerical values to individuals based on their physical appearance and achievements. This system further perpetuates discrimination as it ranks people based on superficial factors rather than their true character or abilities.
Overall, discrimination in Uglies is primarily exhibited through the division between Pretties and Uglies, age discrimination, the emphasis on physical appearance, unequal social and economic opportunities, and the Tally system.