Surface And Substance Summary

There is a salient relationship between aesthetic pleasure and the individual. Virginia Postrel's essay "Surface and Substance" argues that society must accept "that aesthetic pleasure is an autonomous good (Postrel 436)." Society as a whole must refrain from holding those with aesthetic preferences in low regards. Individual's presentations of himself or herself define his or her own form, therefore expressing their character. The perceived significance of aesthetics and individualism indicates that we as a society are free. Individuality sets individuals apart, as well as different groups of people, races, and cultures. Postrel's construction of surface in her essay "Surface and Substance" indeed promises individuality by annotating
How one displays them self informs the other of exactly how much they respect his or her self, what genre of music they enjoy, and how practical the person actually is. For example, a 17-year-old boy walks into the classroom with a green Mohawk, safety pinned pants, and tattooed arms. Using our ultimate stereotypical minds that society has granted us we can infer that he is into punk music. If a girl walks in with a sweater tied around her neck, a tennis skirt on, and barrettes in her well-combed hair, we may come to the preconceived notion that she is prim, proper, and high-class. However, though this may seem stereotypical, it is a blunt form of individuality. These two individuals are displaying their preferences and perhaps a window into their inner lives by the use of extreme appearance, aesthetics, hairstyle, and demeanor. This is yet another example that confirms aesthetics directly execute individuality among people in today's society and present's each as different from the
Postrel does well to explain that although individuality is expressed through aesthetics, it is also within reason to the style of the time period. The accepted code of appearance and taste can be coined in the term "fashion." Fashion can be defined as a prevailing custom or style of dress, etiquette, socializing, etc. This term, while allowing individuals to still roam free in their own pleasures and distinction, has limits, and allows for what is acceptable on the public streets today with consideration to the time period. For example, it is not culturally accepted in America for one to wear a toga, a loincloth, or a large corset dress from the 17th century simply because it is not "in style." "Fashion is the process by which form seems exhausted and then refreshed… (Postrel 430)." Postrel uses fashion as a means of describing the way society as a whole expresses itself. Fashion from country to country varies and sets each society apart from the other, much as individuality sets each person apart from your average Joe. It is always changing, rearranging, and manifesting the differences we all