The notion of beauty in News from Nowhere.

Morris believed that a socialist society would result in not only happier people, but also healthier and more beautiful people. This is stated directly during a conversation he has with Old Hammond, who tells him, "[People] believe that a child born from the natural and healthy love between a man and a woman, even if that be transient, is likely to turn out better in all ways, and especially in bodily beauty, than the birth of the respectable commercial marriage bed" (60). This is also demonstrated by the descriptions of the characters as William meets him, nearly all of whom are introduced with descriptions of their physical beauty, the beauty of their clothing, and their youthful vigor. A good example is Boffin, a minor character whom William meets at the Guest House in Hammersmith. William narrates, "[I] saw a splendid figure slowly sauntering over the pavement; a man whose surcoat was embroidered most copiously as well as elegantly, so that the sun flashed back from him as if he had been clad in golden armour. The man himself was tall, dark-haired, and exceedingly handsome, and though his face was no less kindly in expression than that of the others, he moved with that somewhat haughty mien which great beauty is apt to give to both men and women. He came and sat down at our able with a smiling face, stretching out his long legs and hanging his arm over the chair in the slowly graceful way which tall and well-built people may use without affectation. He was a man in the prime of life, but looked as happy as a child who has just got a new toy" (20). The vivid imagery in this quote spans from Boffin's physical beauty to the beauty of his dress and even his engaging and attractive confidence.