What Jian saw and committed to |
The Chinese man who sued his wife for being 'ugly' and won the case can be
seen as a study beyond beauty.
Jian Feng did not know about the lack of pulchritude in his wife. When she
delivered an “incredibly ugly” baby, he figured out that this is what she
looked like. She had, in fact, undergone several cosmetic surgeries.
It is
interesting that he assumed she had cheated on him. This made her confess about her surgeries before marriage, where she spent about
$100,000.
This was another
form of cheating. It makes one wonder about betrayal. What really does it mean?
He says she used false pretense. We are living in times when nips, tucks,
implants, botox shots have become commonplace. In fact, if you do not have any
of the new fashion “accessories”, you might still be suspect.
He got attracted
to what he saw. That was the reality for him. Would he know about other forms
of ugliness? These are often revealed when people are forced into situations or
because these are suppressed emotions that cannot be surgically altered.
Did his wife lie
to him? Did he ask her about her past? Would she have confessed to this? Regarding physical aspects too, there are so many that are not immediately visible –
what about depilation, push-up bras, corsets, cosmetics that enhance looks?
Needless to say, the standards would apply to men as well.
What if Jian’s
wife had met with an accident after marriage? Would that be a betrayal? If he
began looking at her with pity and tolerated her, then would he not be betraying
her? If she underwent reconstructive surgery, but there were a few changes,
would that be betrayal? What happens as she, and he, age?
As for the
child, what would happen if the daughter was born cute? There would be no
reference to false pretense. Would that diminish the betrayal? Is it then about
the real false pretense which in turn is about destiny’s denial?
The court has
granted him a substantial amount in damages. The child is a product of both of
them. What is his responsibility towards the daughter who is unaware of what
transpired? If she revealed to him the big truth about his wife, then should he
accept her as the harbinger of news or reject her for being a part of it? Will
the mother hate her because it was her looks that brought out her secret in the
open?
Aren’t these additions
and subtractions to the body a betrayal of the self first? Such betrayals are
often choices. If people are expected to change habits and values, then why the
chariness about physical traits?
PS: I don't see any reason to post her 'before' picture. This is what she is now.
PS: I don't see any reason to post her 'before' picture. This is what she is now.
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ReplyDeleteI don't understand how this is a betrayal unless he explicitly asked if she got any cosmetic work done on her. Also isn't it possible that the baby could look different from the parents, may be not be as good looking as the parents. From what I understand about genes they can get mixed up in many different ways. Think probability and permutations/combinations. Anyway its still his baby, so I am guessing he is legally responsible for her. As far as being a good parent who knows!
ReplyDeleteSai:
ReplyDeleteBesides, babies hardly have fully formed features and need not be good-looking.
I do think he has responsibility as a parent and the courts should ensure that instead of him getting paid for 'false pretense'.