Uglies Westerfeld Sparknotes

Uglies by Scott Westerfield is set in a dystopian future society after the 21st century set the world ablaze. Everyone is referred to as “ugly” until the ripe age of 16, where they undergo extensive plastic surgery to become “pretty”, conforming to a standard of beauty set by the government. Although, not everyone feels that this is a good solution. The story follows Tally Youngblood, who initially desires to become pretty but discovers the truth about the operation and what it might cost everyone around her. It explores themes of friendship, betrayal, the power of knowledge and most of all the dangers of societal pressure to conform to their standards. Scott Westerfeild argues that no one needs to subject themselves to societal conformity;

One big way Westerfield does this is by using foreshadowing. An example of this would be when Shay is telling Tally that she has the option whether to become pretty or not; Shay states that it is a big decision but that she wouldn’t be the first person to do it (Westerfield 80). The inclusion of this quote foreshadows the fact that the surgery might not be everything that Tally actually wants, but this also supports the idea that everyone does have a choice in what they do. Another way that Westerfield does this is by sending the protagonist on a quest. Tally has to make a choice between becoming pretty or saving her friends and in doing this quest she realizes her self worth. Tally said she felt that “‘being pretty was like being a child, safe from all harm’” (Westerfield 49). However, after her journey to the Smoke, she realizes that being “pretty” isn’t the solution she needs. After getting the surgery, each person looks almost identical which enforces the idea of control and societal conformity. However, after Tally chooses not to become pretty, she breaks that barrier. Tally begins to realize that individuality and freedom are more important than being pretty. Westerfield is trying to show that social conformity can be dangerous and it is important to think about them

One of the biggest parts of this novel is the idea of “Uglies” vs. “Pretties and other members and groups of this culture. The entire novel these two main groups are segregated so they do not interact with each other. “Uglies got to be pretties, and pretties got to be celebrities, and celebrities got to rule the world–or so it seemed to the young uglies anyway” (Westerfield 29). The use of these words represents the physical and social divisions of the two groups. By doing this, Westerfield creates a way to explore the possibility of a person not wanting to receive the surgery. Where would they fall then? He is able to use these words to show how society often creates divisions based on arbitrary factors, like physical appearance, so that people feel they need to fall into one single category. This raises the question about what it means to be a person’s own individual and the importance to question the norms and values that society tries to conform everyone into. Another way that Westerfield uses words to create a big impact is when David calls Tally beautiful. While Tally is describing the surgery, David says, “‘I think you’re beautiful, Tally. Inside and out’” (Westerfield 217). The significance of this is that it conveys that he values her for who she is as a person, rather than just her physical appearance. Throughout the storyline, Tally struggles to come