Comprehension
Read the following passage and answer the TWO questions that follow.
Beauty has an aesthetic, but it is not the same as aesthetics, not when it can be embodied, controlled by powerful interests, and when it can be commodified. Beauty can be manners, also a socially contingent set of traits. Whatever power decides that beauty is, it must always be more than reducible to a single thing. Beauty is a wonderful form of capital in a world that organizes everything around gender and then requires a performance of gender that makes some of its members more equal than others.
Beauty would not be such a useful distinction were it not for the economic and political conditions. It is trite at this point to point out capitalism, which is precisely why it must be pointed out. Systems of exchange tend to generate the kind of ideas that work well as exchanges. Because it can be an idea and a good and a body, beauty serves many useful functions for our economic system. Even better, beauty can be political. It can exclude and include, one of the basic conditions of any politics. Beauty has it all. It can be political, economic, external, individualized, generalizing, exclusionary, and perhaps best of all a story that can be told. Our dominant story of beauty is that it is simultaneously a blessing, of genetics or gods, and a site of conversion. You can become beautiful if you accept the right prophets and their wisdoms with a side of products thrown in for good measure. Forget that these two ideas—unique blessing and earned reward—are antithetical to each other. That makes beauty all the more perfect for our (social and political) time, itself anchored in paradoxes like freedom and property, opportunity and equality
Beauty has an aesthetic, but it is not the same as aesthetics, not when it can be embodied, controlled by powerful interests, and when it can be commodified. Beauty can be manners, also a socially contingent set of traits. Whatever power decides that beauty is, it must always be more than reducible to a single thing. Beauty is a wonderful form of capital in a world that organizes everything around gender and then requires a performance of gender that makes some of its members more equal than others.
Beauty would not be such a useful distinction were it not for the economic and political conditions. It is trite at this point to point out capitalism, which is precisely why it must be pointed out. Systems of exchange tend to generate the kind of ideas that work well as exchanges. Because it can be an idea and a good and a body, beauty serves many useful functions for our economic system. Even better, beauty can be political. It can exclude and include, one of the basic conditions of any politics. Beauty has it all. It can be political, economic, external, individualized, generalizing, exclusionary, and perhaps best of all a story that can be told. Our dominant story of beauty is that it is simultaneously a blessing, of genetics or gods, and a site of conversion. You can become beautiful if you accept the right prophets and their wisdoms with a side of products thrown in for good measure. Forget that these two ideas—unique blessing and earned reward—are antithetical to each other. That makes beauty all the more perfect for our (social and political) time, itself anchored in paradoxes like freedom and property, opportunity and equality
Question: 1
Based on the passage, which of the following CANNOT be inferred about beauty?
Based on the passage, which of the following CANNOT be inferred about beauty?
Updated On: Dec 6, 2024
- Beauty is no longer an abstract concept.
- Beauty has become an aspirational good.
- Different powers and influences delineate beauty for us.
- Beauty is defined and appreciated by the perceiver.
- The beautiful does not define the standards of beauty.
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The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Analyze the passage.
The passage discusses beauty as a complex and multifaceted concept, influenced by politics, economics, and individual perceptions. It highlights beauty’s societal and aspirational dimensions but does not claim it is solely defined by individual perception.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- Option 1: Correct. The passage suggests beauty is no longer abstract but deeply integrated into social and political systems.
- Option 2: Correct. Beauty is described as an aspirational good due to its commodification and societal value.
- Option 3: Correct. The influence of power and social systems on beauty is explicitly mentioned in the passage.
- Option 4: Incorrect. The passage does not emphasize that beauty is solely defined by the perceiver; it indicates external influences play a significant role.
- Option 5: Correct. The standards of beauty are socially constructed and not always dictated by the beautiful itself.
Final Answer: (4)
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Question: 2
Based on the passage, which of the following BEST explains beauty to be simultaneously a “blessing” and a “site of conversion?”
Based on the passage, which of the following BEST explains beauty to be simultaneously a “blessing” and a “site of conversion?”
Updated On: Dec 6, 2024
- Both are narratives, with one supporting the other.
- When properly communicated people will believe anything.
- Because beauty is a blessing everyone wants to possess it by converting to the standards.
- A blessing, when sought, results in a provider of the blessing, in a capitalistic society.
- Though beauty is a unique blessing, one can become beautiful by imitating beautiful people.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Analyze the key terms in the question.
The passage discusses beauty as both a blessing and a site of conversion. A ”blessing” indicates something inherently valuable, while a ”site of conversion” refers to adopting or adhering to standards to attain or replicate that value.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- Option 1: Incorrect. While narratives are mentioned in the passage, this option does not directly address the concept of conversion.
- Option 2: Incorrect. This option simplifies the idea of beauty and does not align with the dual nature of ”blessing” and ”conversion.” - Option 3: Correct. The passage supports the idea that beauty as a blessing creates a desire in individuals to adhere to societal standards, thereby converting to what is considered beautiful.
- Option 4: Incorrect. Although capitalism is a theme in the passage, this option focuses more on economics than the dual nature of beauty.
- Option 5: Incorrect. While imitation is relevant, it does not explain the concept of conversion in the context of beauty as a blessing.
Final Answer: (3)
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