Saint Mary’s University

Senior High School Department

CABICAL, Marj Monique A.

STEM 12 F
THE GOOD BODY
By Eve Ensler

Eve Ensler is a well-known feminist and activist who have written quite a few literary
works which are internationally recognized. One of these is her book entitled "The Good Body",
which has been gaining an excellent appraisal for its incredibly artistic and humanitarian
expression. Reading between the lines, I couldn't help myself but to feel captivated as to how
Eve Ensler expressed herself through her choice of words. And it is for certain that her work is a
symbol of inspiration and eye-opener.

As I read the excerpt for the first time, I didn't find it hard to understand its content.
However, as I reread and immerse myself with it, I realized I was wrong when I thought that I
understood its meaning because I believe that there is much more to grasp than what is
superficial such as the title itself. The title is subjective, I must say, because our body depends on
how we see and feel for ourselves.

Appearance nowadays have become a major concern not only for the women, but for
humanity although the text itself centers on feminism. Our society have constructed a set of
standards to be called as beautiful. There is actually nothing wrong as long as we define it based
beyond what eyes can see. However, the simple fact that the definition only concerns the
physical quality is a problem. Hence, it is not surprising that these criteria establish insecurities
among people who do not fit in. And just because of the expectation to meet these standards,
people put huge efforts in changing themselves which leads them most of the time to worse than
better.

In the excerpt, it was mentioned how the speaker, Eve Ensler, little by little restraint
herself from eating her favorite foods in order to have her desired body shape. It was good for
she started to limit herself from eating unhealthy foods such as ice cream, chocolate and pasta by
starting to consume green foods. However, it gets bad on the situation wherein she needs to
sacrifice and enslave herself by not eating food as she said, "Bread is Satan" (simile), implying
that food is bad as it destroys her plan in embracing her emptiness (personification) to go through
the holy zones, which I interpret as fasting or either the phase to the ideal body she wishes to
reach.

Moreover, a friend tells her that her stomach has nothing to do with diet but is caused by
the "change of lifestyle" and lack of testosterone. I believe that this is one of the important things
that people should always remember. As what I have observed, changes don't come in an instant.
If we want to achieve something, it has to be accompanied by discipline and it has to be
practiced. For instance, having a diet doesn't only signify we confine ourselves eating like a bird
but also engaging in proper exercise, eating healthy foods and commitment. In addition, in
relation to testosterone being a serial killer, it is scientifically explained that low testosterone
level leads to weight gain whilst high testosterone level leads to several complications. If Eve,
for example, will not eat but take medicines for the production of testosterone, it would be hard
for as her body reacts to her situation.
 Saint Mary’s University
Senior High School Department

Furthermore, it was told in the story the smiling girl of Cosmo magazine to whom Eve
referred as the American dream and her nightmare. I believe that the girl was describe as such
because that is the ideal type of a girl that anyone would want: blond, pointy-breasted, raisin-a-
day stomach (hyperbole) and Eve's nightmare because she admits it to herself that such figure
has been the thing haunting her mind. In addition, the statement, "She was passed through my
mother's milk and so I don't even know that I'm contaminated", is somehow intriguing but
eventually, I have made my conclusion. The girl in the magazine is described as beautiful and so
is Eve because they came from one, which is God. The only thing is that she fails to see it for
herself in like manner that the answer lies on herself.

In reality, just like Eve, I grew up thinking of how to get rid of my imperfections. When I
was young, I was often bullied because of my thick lips which I would always try to cover with
handkerchief. Other than that, my calves and my disproportionate body have been one of my
insecurities growing up. To be honest, I don’t really care about my appearance but everytime my
friends or family would mock me, I couldn’t help but to feel ashamed. Thankfully, while I am
being used to it, I am starting to love myself more and more every day. Instead of agonizing the
absence of something that I can never change, I will just rejoice for the things that God have
given me.

We often encounter the Gospel reading of I Corinthians 6:19 saying, “Our body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you was given to you by God, you do not belong to
yourself” Just like what we were taught growing up, our body is a unique creation of God which
was redeemed through the life of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should forever perceive and treat
our body as a precious gift in which the Holy Spirit not only lives but also honored and revered.

If there is a lesson that this story has taught me, it is that if there is someone who can’t
see your worth, don’t let it be you. We are created in the likeness and image of God, thus, we are
all perfect in our own unique ways. Beauty is from within, it is reflected by our soul. Moreover, I
have also realized that we should empower ourselves as we empower others, especially for
women, because no one understands us like us.