Perfection
Leo Tolstoy once spoke through his character Nataly, in Anna Karenina the line, “If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content” (Tolstoy, p.1472). This statement still immensely powerful today, our fantasy of achieving perfection has incredibly managed to hold its place throughout time. However, its flaw comes in just that, the perfection that we seek serves as nothing but a fantasy. Realistically, our goals of flawless bodies, unbreakable relationships, and perfect lives lie at the end of a race with no finish line. Granted, things such as getting in shape, having a stable relationship, and living a happy life serve as perfectly reasonable pursuits. But, seeking perfection within these goals will only lead to a path of detrimental self-loathing. So, if our search for perfection has no end then why do people keep striving for it each day? In truth, real perfection is not a state of flawlessness that we can reach at the end of the day, but the value within our flaws that we must discover along the way.
At the top of today’s hierarchal facade of perfection lies one major topic, self-image. Although not everyone views themselves entirely negatively, most everyone has one trait or
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Realistically, completing the perfect task or living the perfect life happens when we embrace the many failures that will come along with it. Instead of being afraid of flaws and imperfection, true perfection means to try our best at whatever we do and appreciate the result regardless of its quality. For example, if an artist strives for the perfect painting and pour hundreds of strenuous hours into their piece, the final image will undoubtedly have impressive results; though that does not mean that their work could beat out Michelangelo’s. However, regardless of the quality, by comparison that artist has undeniably created a perfect masterpiece in its own
“The word perfection cannot be defined into one person or one thing. Perfection can only be told or seen in a first person view. No one will genuinely think something or someone is as perfect as another person, it’s impossible to see eye to eye with something that is as powerful and subjective as perfection.” - Jordan van der neut, 2014
This quest of perfectionism not only happened to Aylmer, it is also happening in today’s world. Perfectionism has taken over people’s mind. For example, teenage girls want to have bigger butts like Nicki Minaj, and flawless faces like Beyoncé. They would spend their
Both “Cinderella” and “The Birthmark” are stories of perfection. The former shows how foolish and unrealistic the ideals of perfection seen in ‘happily ever after’ stories are. The latter shows how easily obsessing over perfection leads one to ruin. However, both literary works reveal how perfection is something that is unattainable, and will always remains just out of grasp.
...that can foil even the best plans. Perfection does not have a single definition, “The act of making something perfect or better”-Merriam Webster. It is up to each individual to decide whether he or she achieved perfection in their job, and the bar to determine that is similarly different for each individual. In the end when the task has been completed individuals shouldn’t necessarily ask themselves if they were perfect, they should ask themselves how they can improve from their experience. Achieving perfection is a constant chase, when one thinks they were perfect they must also realize that they could have been better. When an individual thinks they are perfect, they have given up on the chase for perfection. “Better is possible. It does not take genius. It takes diligence. It takes moral clarity. It takes ingenuity. And above all, it takes a willingness to try.”
No matter how hard humans have tried to achieve perfection none could ever reach perfection. Perfection is the allusion made by the human mind. Perfection is described as “the quality or state of being perfect: freedom from flaws, having maturity, and the quality or state of being saintly”. (Merriam-Webster)
Society longs for a perfect model to show how humanity should be. Throughout history, perfection has been looked for in gods and other-worldly beings, yet never in humans. Perhaps this is because perfection is subjective and unattainable. Each person can have their own idea of what makes someone perfect, which can make the most ideal person, imperfect. One simple flaw can be seen as imperfect. Despite that, with the advancement of technology and media, people try to become perfect through surgeries and other, more damaging, processes. In “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a scientist believes that the removal of his wife’s birthmark can make her perfect, or rather, his idea of perfect. Hawthorne uses symbolism, foreshadowing, and dark romantic ideals to say that while attempting to be perfect, you can be hurting yourself or others.
The constant pursuit of being perfect, including covering oneself with innumerable coats of makeup and going on extreme diets, is an enormous problematic that is attributable to deep feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem among girls. Given that nobody is capable of being entirely perfect, the aspiration to be that is unrealistic, and hence infeasible. This is exceedingly damaging because the incapability to attain this objective can give rise to feelings of major unhappiness or even depression. Consequently, it is crucial to call a halt to such a destructive goal. One of the most ground-breaking individuals who has made the attempt is the famous singer, songwriter, and actress, Alicia Keys. With her essay
Perfection is much like the lottery; many people will strive for it with the hopes of attaining their ultimate goal, only to realize that reaching it is nearly impossible. However, unlike the lottery, there is not even the slightest chance of winning the final prize. To be completely perfect is an impossible feat, and the more attempts made to reach a status of “perfection”, the more let down a person will be. The quality of complete perfection is unobtainable and unreasonable, yet many cultures and certain groups of people take pride in being known as perfectionists. This reach for the impossible can be seen in the strict code followed by all knights during the feudal time period. Sir Gawain in the late
Perfect: adj. ˈpər-fikt 1. Entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings, is the first definition you find on dictionary.com for the word (perfect). Is this actually possible to attain? Has anyone actually ever been perfect? Or is it all in the eye of the beholder? These questions are asked by almost every girl, as we dream to one day reach the unattainable. This is especially true at the tender age of fifteen, where nothing seems to be going right with our bodies and everything is changing in us. This poem stresses the fact that as everyone realizes how unrealistic this dream is, the knowledge makes no difference to the wish. Marisa de los Santos comments on this in her poem “Perfect Dress”. The use of verbose imagery, metaphors, and the simplistic approach are very effective in portraying the awkward adolescent stage of a young woman and the unrealistic dream of being perfect.
Today, our culture demands us to be perfect, thin, powerful, successful, smart, extraordinary, but when people begin to try achieving them, we start labeling them as narcissists. The problem is that it is impossible for anyone to please everyone. Brown defines narcissism as simply a “fear of never feeling extraordinary enough to be noticed, to be lovable, to belong, or to cultivate a sense of purpose” (22). Before giving out labels, it is wise to practice asking ourselves questions to clear the intentions and reasons of someone’s behavior. For example, teenagers posting pictures of themselves online to gain some attention reveals that the culture has taught them that they are as lovable as the number of likes and comments they get on social media. Negative feedback roots into negative thinking about vulnerability and causes them to shut themselves down and never show their real selves again. Encouraging others to believe that they are perfect as themselves, will plant a positive attitude in them and push them to pursue their goals and visions to fulfill their dream of a happy
This proves the fact that “Perfection” is like a dream. When people finally see the flaws, they wake up and the dream ends.” Works Cited Gioia, Dana, and X.J. Kennedy. The "My Last Duchess. " Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing, Compact Edition, Interactive Edition.
is hotter or colder, but never actually tell what the absolutes are. This is a
...ience true perfection. Since an ideal can never hold up to a reality, nothing can be truly perfect.
We often think that our main goals are linked to perfection, however, we are unaware of the devastating effect this unattainable concept has on our outlook on life when we cannot achieve it. Though the textbook definition of perfection is, “the quality or condition of being perfect and without flaws”, it is a vice that harbors many doubts and insecurities and holds us back from things we want to do for fear of not being good. Perfection is a concept that cannot be achieved as it does not exist.
Perfection is not within the realms of possibility, but I always knew if I aim for perfection, I could at least achieve excellence. This is the mantra I have followed in every walk of life. I have always learnt to appreciate everything I have taken up, thoroughly and to the fullest. In this competitive pace of life, I have learnt a lot from my experiences and I am still striving to learn more. I constantly challenged myself in an effort to develop a rational mindset and approach to problem solving.