체형의 문화적 의미: Fat Pig

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the socio-cultural meanings of personal body-size in American culture represented in Neil LaBute’s acclaimed play, Fat Pig. According to ‘lookism,’ fat people are subject to social prejudices, such as “idle,” “irresponsible,” “incompetent,” even “abnormal,” which is derogative. Because of this, many people, especially women are oppressed by the ‘cult of thinness’ in American ‘fat-phobic’ society. This ‘fat-shame’ culture based on false ‘beauty myth’ functions as a modern oppression against individuals. In Fat Pig, Tom is tormented by his peers just because he is dating with an obese woman, Helen. Although Tom doesn’t agree with their prejudices against Helen and he dearly loves her, he cannot but to leave her at a beach party eventually. He is not strong enough to fight against the powerful social prejudice, ‘lookism.’ Fat Pig shows ‘lookism’ in American culture can be very oppressive and even violent against innocent individuals.