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Beauty In Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me

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Pop-culture sets ridiculously high standards for what is now a day called “skinny” or “pretty”. Beauty is no longer within; beauty is only what people see. These unrealistic standards of society forces young girls to conform to this ideal of perfection. What would you do if you found yourself on the heavy side- dare I say “fat”? Joke about it and diet? Accept it and move on? In Mindy Kaling’s memoir Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), Kaling takes the reader through her struggle of being a “chubby child” and the hard work it takes to break out of that stereotype and make it as one of the best comedic producers in Hollywood. Kaling jokes about her weight and makes dieting her hobby, constantly, being careful of what she …show more content…

Whether it is small jokes or her usage of figurative language, Kaling cannot help but bring her down: “I’ve always been extremely bad at anything athletic” (Kaling 21). Kaling’s hyperbole exaggerates that she is “extremely” bad at being fit, but no one can be that bad at anything. She’s just not suited for sports and does not like them. Obviously, Kaling must have a mirror to prove her that the body she has obtained is perfect for her and anyone else she meets. Just because sports are not her forte does not mean that will affect how she sees herself. Furthermore, Kaling makes dieting her hobby and continues to get her “perfect” weight: “I wish I could just be one of those French women you read about who stays thin by eating only the most gourmet foods in tiny ascetic proportions, but I could never do that” (Kaling 19). Kaling degrades herself by obtaining the mirror Kaling could see her true beauty and stop making small digs at herself.
Laughter is not always the best medicine. However in this case, it is true; Mindy Kaling deserves to see her true self. That’s why a mirror to represent her beauty both within and out is exactly what Kaling

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