Fantasy Themed Criticism

The artifact that I decided to analyize was the song Unpretty by TLC. I had trouble with this assignment because choosing an artifact was hard for me. I listened to the song a couple times and tried to break it down using fantasy themed criticism. There are messages in this song that are meant for the listeners to hear and interpret for themselves. In the book on page 98, it stated that the fantasy is the interpretation that is accomplished in communication. It also states that common emotion can be set off by agreed upon cues in the song, which I believe this song has a lot of.

Setting Themes:

Relationships

Everyday life

Homes of people

Character Themes:

Young women

Girls

Young men

Boys

Action Themes:

People wanting to change their appearance to be accepted

Not feeling pretty

Plastic surgery

Not feeling loved not feeling as is the standards were met based on appearance

Learning to love yourself the way you are

trying to change for people you think love you ( relationships)

Unpretty lyrics

I wish could tie you up in my shoes

Make you feel unpretty too

I was told I was beautiful

But what does that mean to you

Look into the mirror who's inside there

The one with the long hair

Same old me again today (yeah)

My outsides look cool

My insides are blue

Everytime I think I'm through

It's because of you

I've tried different ways

But it's all the same

At the end of the day

I have myself to blame

I'm just trippin'

[Chorus:]

You can buy your hair if it won't grow

You can fix your nose if he says so

You can buy all the make up

That M.A.C. can make

But if you can't look inside you

Find out who am I too

Be in the position to make me feel

So damn unpretty

I'll make you feel unpretty too

Never insecure until I met you

Now I'm bein' stupid

I used to be so cute to me

Just a little bit skinny

Why do I look to all these things

To keep you happy

Maybe get rid of you

And then I'll get back to me (hey)

My outsides look cool

My insides are blue

Everytime I think I'm through

It's because of you

I've tried different ways

But it's all the same

At the end of the day

I have myself to blame

I'm just trippin'

[Chorus]