Bars Quote by Salman Rushdie
![“The beautiful came to this city [Hollywood] in huge pathetic herds, to suffer, to be humiliated, to see the powerful currency of their beauty devalued like the Russian ruble or Argentine peso;to work as bellhops, as bar hostesses, as garbage collectors, as maids. The city was a cliff and they were…” quote by Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b8c/salman-rushdie-153_bars_the-beautiful-came-to-this-city-hollywoo_2510447.jpg)
“The beautiful came to this city [Hollywood] in huge pathetic herds, to suffer, to be humiliated, to see the powerful currency of their beauty devalued like the Russian ruble or Argentine peso;to work as bellhops, as bar hostesses, as garbage collectors, as maids. The city was a cliff and they were its stampeding lemmings. At the foot of the cliff was the valley of the broken dolls.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 1995
He describes Hollywood as a place where beauty is exploited, leading to humiliation and devaluation, likening it to a cliff of broken dreams.
In simple terms: Hollywood turns beauty into a harsh, demeaning industry.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and resist the commodification of appearance.
Themes
beauty
exploitation
industry
illusion
social critique
Mood
cynical
melancholic
Type
cultural critique
observational
When to use this quote
- career choice
- media literacy
- mental health support
- advocacy for fair labor
Key Concepts
economic disparity
celebrity culture
Questions to Reflect On
- What can be done to protect those vulnerable in entertainment?
- How does society value beauty versus talent?
A Different Perspective
The narrative may overlook individuals who thrive and find agency within the system.
