Thelma Kestner ’29 is an international relations major and history minor. She is involved in Young Independents, Vinyl Tap, WCWM, Theodore Roosevelt Society and Phi Mu. Contact her a tekestner@wm.edu
The views expressed in the article are the author’s own
In our current society, there is a certain quality of despair to be some form of perfection. It could be easily known as the “It Girl.” Social media platforms such as TikTok or Instagram add gasoline to this already massive fire. Exposure to content being promoted by influencers doesn’t help this case, either. The “morning shed” of overnight beauty treatments. Buy this, not that. Counting calories. How to achieve a flat stomach. Don’t eat that! It causes bloating and inflammation. Instead … try this remedy with my subscription! This trend causes people, particularly women, to dive into a deep ocean of insecurities which causes a perpetual, destructive cycle of seeking perfection that’ll never exist.
Eroticism is defined as the quality or character of being erotic. With this quality, it excites whoever is washed with these feelings and creates the environment of sensuality. It has been seen in numerous forms of media: books, magazines, movies, photography, music. When it is represented in these variations, it is because of the humanistic qualities which appear. It wasn’t constructed to be perfect in any way, it would be considered ‘imperfect’ now, but it is beautiful because of the realness that is presented on a screen or a cover of a magazine.
A perfect example of this is the 1967 film “The Graduate.” Anne Bancroft plays Mrs. Robinson, an older woman whose aura is alluring and commanding. One of the release posters showcases her leg, which she’s putting a stocking on, in front of the existential, confused Benjamin Braddock. The allure to viewers wondering what was going on and/or why she’s doing this. In the movie, she tells Benjamin, “I am not trying to seduce you. Would you like me to seduce you? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?” Both examples are so simple, yet compelling. When it was released, and even now, her assertiveness in these questions and simple action of putting on a stocking fuels the eroticism which Mrs. Robinson embodies.
In photoshoots, the main photographs capture eroticism in just one still shot. Although they are frozen in time and in the lens which presents itself to an audience, they invoke jealousy to those who cannot achieve it and bring excitement to those who find pleasure in it. Marie Devereux, photographed as a village girl in promotion for “The Brides of Dracula,” represents this well. In the fall 1994 show for Vivienne Westwood, there are many photographs which capture that exact feeling in many different perspectives. Kate Moss, a model, also embodies this definition.
In our modern age, how have we distanced ourselves from the textbook definition of eroticism? Have we become so desensitized to media forms which seemed so revolutionary (and even controversial), not even 20-30 years ago? Has social media made us become so obsessed with ourselves that we aren’t even embracing humanistic qualities?
Eroticism dies in perfectionism while searching for something quick and obvious. Although hookup culture is in a demise period where Gen Z is having less sex than ever, it can be accredited to the shift in definition in eroticism. Hookups and one night stands are quick acts to get temporary satisfaction out of oneself (as the name suggests). When the act of sex is taken in this route, it usually has no way of being intentional or tantalizing. It is not an intensity which follows someone through heavy romantic feelings such that when you interact with the person for a moment it quite literally possesses you, but it’s a finite feeling.
The flood gates of ‘being the next It Girl’ have also dramatically shifted the definition of the word. As mentioned earlier, one of the qualities of either eroticism or being erotic comes with a form of humanistic qualities, and not appearing perfect all of the time. Of course, humans do care to some extent on how we look, but social media manipulates the care into obsession. Think of the begrudging everything shower: wash hair, hair mask, deep condition, exfoliate, shave/wax/tweezer, self-tan, gua-sha, face mask, blow dry hair, put rollers in etc. It is so extensive, and even looking at it, outright ridiculous in some cases. After this task list of looking perfect, one might feel drained, but perfect for any event out on the town. Another phenomenon is when wives used to get up early to look ‘perfect’ for their husbands sleeping beside them. This obsession diminishes embracing qualities which make us human, and seeking what will never be found. You’ll never be erotic if you’re chasing after TikTok’s microtrends on beauty.
There has been a shift in the word, but is there anything we can do about it? Are there solutions over time people can take to define the word rightfully? Or even embrace it? Personally, finding individuality is key to this. No, you won’t be rightfully defining eroticism or erotic by following microtrends or being superficial in connections. Although we will never be in the era of seeing minimal forms of media which portray eroticism ever again, nor be in this world where everything is sensually human, we can embrace it in our own, individualistic ways.
