Core Post- Beauty in Now, Voyager

Charlotte (Bette Davis), in Now, Voyager, transforms from chubby and unattractive, mentally distraught young woman to a sophisticated, well-groomed, recognizable Bette Davis. Laplace characterizes Charlotte’s “metamorphosis”: “In place of the spectacle of ugliness, there is a spectacle of the metamorphosis- the thrill of ‘before and after’ so beloved of advertising directed at women” (Laplace 144). Charlotte’s metamorphosis highlights the 20th century standard of beauty in America. Witnessing her “before and after”, the audience becomes infatuated with the latter. How does she attain such beauty?

Laplace writes how “twentieth-century advertising introduced the notion that beauty was not a natural given…but achievable by any women- though only through the use of the correct goods: cosmetics, grooming aids, fashion" (140). Charlotte is the prime example of how to achieve beauty “through the use of correct goods”. Now, Voyager displays Charlotte as initially ungroomed, plump, and constantly wearing glasses. However, Charlotte changes her look through “cosmetics, grooming aids, fashion”. She removes her glasses, tweezes her brows, and changes her frizzy hair into a sophisticated up-do. While she was not born looking that way, Charlotte epitomizes how to attain this 20th century beauty ideal.

Further, the  “result of a glamorous transformation of her appearance which in turn brings about the next step forward, the love of a good man" (141). I agree with Laplace that Now, Voyager presents Charlotte’s romance as a direct result of her newly attained style and elegance. When Charlotte shows Paul a family photo, he asks who the  “fat lady with bushy eyebrows” is. First, Charlotte denies it is her, claiming that unattractive woman is an aunt. Soon after, however, Charlotte admits the truth. She explains, “that unattractive woman is me…forgive me…I’ve been ill”. Charlotte justifies her lie, claiming she has been “ill”. Ultimately, Charlotte suggests that her beauty was a crucial part of her "cure". Simply because “She looks better… she is better” (144). Laplace characterizes the idea that Charlotte’s beauty translates into her happiness.