Jean Kilbourne comments that the impossible, ideal image presented by advertiser

Question

Jean Kilbourne comments that the impossible, ideal image presented by advertisers "wouldn't matter so much if it didn't connect with the core belief of American culture that such transformation is possible; that we can look like this if we just try hard enough, buy the right products. If we're not beautiful, or thin, or rich, or successful, it's because we're just not trying hard enough. Explore this statement further. In what ways is transformation a central principle of American society? What is the connection between advertising's impossible image of ideal beauty and the American belief in transformation? In what ways does this belief affect the way you view your own body and/or people who are overweight?

Explanation / Answer

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary. Also, my views are entirely objective as I am an outsider to the American culture, you may alter the response if required.

(Answer) Firstly, most nations in the world, do love a good underdog story. The janitor owning his own business someday, the street food vendors owning their own restaurant are some of the common dreams. However, in other parts of the world, individuals are likelier to believe that although hard work is essential, the “horses for courses” idiom might be generously applied to life. In other words, although it is believed that hard work does lead to fruition, there are some things that are meant to be while other desires are not too pragmatic.

Perhaps it is this difference that is the cause of such a varied perspective. Americans seem likelier to believe that a makeover might make you turn heads at the prom or that anyone can be president. In other cultures, it is generally a struggle to live a disease free life where one has a stable job that helps support them and their loved ones. Believing what an advertisement might claim is a tertiary though that may have an impression on the mind for a few seconds. However, reality soon comes into focus. This may seem like a negative notion to believe that “Colgate” will not give me the whitest teeth because the tooth enamel does not really change colour permanently. But, it is also reassuring as an individual is less likely to get carried away by the desire to have extra white teeth and focus on the pleasures of life that are generally not available at a supermarket.

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