"Beauty" from Smith's Perspective

It wasn't until I was more than halfway through the novel, On Beauty, that I was able to decide what Smith's own personal view on "beauty" really is. It seems as though she feels like the idea of beauty could have an overall negative impact on society. Although Claire and Veronica have both been described as being attractive, no other character in the novel has been described as being truly beautiful. All of the characters have their flaws - physical and psychological. It seems Smith uses beauty to separate some of the more affluent characters from the other less educated ones. Even though the educated and more beautiful characters are more respected in the novel, they have just as many internal issues and insecurities as any one of the other characters. It is because of this odd dynamic that it is difficult for me to come to a real conclusion as to what Smith's perspective of beauty really is. Maybe she views it as unimportant or dangerous? Either way, I think the novel does a good job of showing how the typical idea of beauty is somewhat dangerous and can be used to create problems within society and families.