Vanity – Lily Dedman
Vanity is a human experience that has existed for thousands of years, as displayed by the 4th century BCE mirror from the UNE Antiquities collection. Throughout time, humans have used material culture to reflect on themselves, whether by examining and altering physical appearance with tools or by creating environments that signify personal achievements.
Mirrors are an excellent example of material culture enhancing the human experience by allowing people to reflect both physically and psychologically. When we face ourselves in a mirror, we stare into our eyes, the windows to the soul, reminding ourselves of our presence in the world. Our attention may shift to physical appearance, either in appreciation or scrutiny, leading us to arrange and adjust to ensure we are presentable. Essentially, we become the centre of attention when interacting with a mirror, making it an act of vanity. In the Western world, women especially have been associated with mirrors and self-enhancement, also using other stereotypically feminine items like makeup and jewellery. Historically, women’s physical appearances have been linked to their value, and their vanity is often perceived as stemming from vain motives despite societal conditioning by the patriarchy.
Describing someone as vain generally conjures negative associations with their character, as the term ‘vanity’ usually implies paying excessive attention to oneself. Society influences us to view placing ourselves on a pedestal as a flawed character trait, suggesting that it is neither humble nor upstanding. However, experiencing vanity in particular contexts does not necessarily mean that someone is a vain person. For example, a bride preparing for her wedding often spends hours on hair and makeup and takes numerous photos. In this context, vanity is accepted and normalised. What about someone doing their makeup every day? It might depend on the amount they are applying or where they are going. The distinction between an action done with vain intent or a ‘normal’ expression of vanity is unclear because the perceiver may not view or express vanity the same as someone else. Vanity is subjective, and its perception is shaped by individual experience and culture. An act of vanity cannot be objectively determined as vain or not.
Picture a vain person. A typical response would be someone self-obsessed, drawing out the getting-ready process by spending the majority of the time gazing at themselves. They might inflate their ego while seeking external approval and dismiss others. However, these activities overlap with people who aren’t vain. Standing in front of a mirror for lengthy periods can be the action of someone with body dysmorphic disorder. Body checking can be an extremely difficult experience, yet it may appear to someone else as an excessive amount of vanity. Reflecting on this brief, I wondered if I fit the definition of a vain person due to my fixation on my appearance and need for reassurance, but I don’t feel that I am trying to elevate myself above others even if my vanity could be considered excessive. My getting-ready routine is an ongoing process, like taking a moment during my day to brush my hair, and I use this time to try to feel good about myself because otherwise I am an insecure person. Though, I don’t always hold back self-criticism when I interact with a mirror.
Expressing vanity is an attempt at boosting self-esteem for many people and shouldn’t automatically be evidence of a vain person or dismissed as a negative action. Vanity is something that everyone experiences, and by adopting a nuanced perspective on the multiple aspects affecting its perception, we can appreciate the diverse relationships people have with vanity.
Lily Dedman is a second year student studying a Bachelor of Historical Inquiry and Practice at UNE, currently learning Ancient Greek, with an obsession for art and developing her knowledge about the experiences of ancient people. Combining her skills as a visual artist with her love for the ancient world is Dedman’s dream.
Image credits:
A.J. Woolmer, The mirror (detail), c. 1870, oil on canvas. Gift of Howard Hinton 1944. Howard Hinton Collection.
Mirror (detail), 4th century BCE, bronze, Greek world. MA1964.7.1. UNE Museum of Antiquities.
