The Search For Perfection In American Literature

The urge to be seen as perfect is a wish normally found among humans. Nonetheless, even multiple animals are nonresistant to this desire. Imagine a bird attempting to draw the greatest mate by making a perfect nest. The bird will fight for a twig that it thinks will build its nest that will surpass the rest. The bird will even go so far as to break the eggs in a nest if it has something that the bird wishes to have as its own. Likewise in humans, there are characters that struggle to be perfect so much so that they start to place their own image above others. In the play The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, there are characters that give in to their own longing to create an ideal life, or perfect society. As a result, it leads them to disregard

The idea that engineering ourselves would make a perfect society is wrong. Because there is descriminartion with jobs- someone has to do the bad jobs. Perfection is different to everyone.

It’s been three hours while I sit here and stare at the blinking bar, symbolizing the fact that I have nothing. My page is blank, but I promise you, my thoughts are not. Thousands of ways to start this essay have run through my mind, but none of them are sufficient. Which, I suppose, is where I will begin. Perfectionism, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is, “a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable” (“Perfectionism”). It is a trait that numerous people might regard as desirable or something to be proud of; a word used to describe oneself on a resume to impress employers. However, I see it much differently. Perfectionism is a fight for something unobtainable, a cyclical trap in which disappointment reigns, and

By looking at Benjamin Franklin’s use of metaphor in comparing the attempt at perfection in a human to that in an axe, it is evident that he believes perfection is a laborious task, which proves that, in explaining the difficulty of fulfillment, he is attempting to persuade people to adhere to his lifestyle, as it will produce the desired results. Benjamin Franklin, throughout his life, wrote many articles about his ideas regarding the achievement of perfection in all aspects of life. Immediately succeeding one such article, he explains the difficulty of obtaining said superiority by using the metaphor of a man grinding a speckled axe upon a stone repeatedly to make its surface flawless before conceding that an imperfect axe is easier to attain and therefore best.. To illustrate the cause of the man’s failure, Franklin says that “...this may have been the case with many who, having, for want of some such means as I employed, found the difficulty of obtaining good... have given up the struggle, and concluded that a speckled axe was best…” He states that many people who do not have the instruments for perfection that he himself wields, have found that obtaining it is too challenging, which leads to capitulation.

Perfection? Can any one person be perfect? Benjamin Franklin believed that he could accomplish this task. Benjamin Franklin was known for being a cognizant and diligent perfectionist. During his lifetime, many people were concerned with correcting themselves of any fault that they may have had. Benjamin Franklin did have an interesting way to proclaim how he, could show everyone how to be perfect. He believes that he can make himself perfect. Even though his ways of being perfect are not the same as everyone else's ideas, he still tries to show them he can be perfect. In his essay "Arriving at Perfection" Benjamin Franklin tries to tell everyone how he will be perfect and how he is going to actually accomplish this task.

From the time children are entered into preschool, they are expected- for the most part- to do their best and be proud of it. One child’s best could be another child’s worst, and that other child’s best could be totally impossible for the first child. If everyone is doing their version of the best work possible, then could perfection ever possibly be achieved? It is a generally accepted truth that the answer to this question is an obvious and resounding no. By definition, a perfect human does not exist. However, humans are constantly striving towards this goal despite their knowing that it is impossible. The constant striving brings people closer and closer to the impossible goal but leaves them just shy of reaching it. This close-but-not-quite-there ending means a life that it is almost perfect. A life almost straight.

In the novel The Chrysalids by John Wyndham the citizens of Waknuk are heading farther away from perfection by deciding who or what is seen as perfect. Punishable by law for their simple imperfections the deviations or abominations are sent away to the Fringes to live their lives in shame.

Society experienced to achieve perfection in many ways, almost since the beginning of humanity, and is almost impossible so many attempts fail and cause severe consequences. In “the perfect match” by Ken Liu, short story and “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, short story. Perfection is people ignoring what really matter. People are not unique anymore because society is limiting with an idea of what is not accepted or normal is not perfect. Societies’ desire of perfection makes people go desperate and feel alone.

The difficulty associated with perfection is first seen during the plays opening when Sam is teaching Willie how to perform the quickstep

A perfect society has always been the goal for many; unfortunately it has only existed in books. The Prince by Niccoló Machiavelli, written in 1513, provides necessary information to become a Prince who will obtain, keep, and please his empire. Thomas More's Utopia, written in 1516, creates an ideal civilization that will live happily, comfortably, and without any problems. Both books attempted to solve problems within a society by critiquing other institutions and creating their own solutions. With the rise in cities, trade, and the economy in the 15th century, people began to realize order and structure in a society is necessary to flourish. Machiavelli and

A perfect society. Something we long and hope for, and work towards to achieve for our future. We picture this society in many different ways, including things like equality, no poverty, and everyone being taken care of among many things. However, we have not become this perfect society yet. This makes you start to wonder, what is preventing this perfect society that we all share a vision of? The perfect society would contain things like equality, happiness, and unity. However, these things are counteracted by greediness, other’s misery, and the fight for power.

One reason why a perfect society can never be made is due to the fact that even though it might be set up perfectly, we cannot change the fact that people are imperfect. Any bit of imperfection is all it takes to cause something to turn from perfect to imperfect. One writer said about utopian societies, “Even with such optimism, the flawed individual is still inserted into otherwise improved societies" (Hough 1). This quote explains how the society in general is improved, but the people are not. Governments have tried to change the way people think to create perfect humans. People are influenced to think exactly how the government wants them to, and teaches them from a young age to love the Party and the government in which they live. Their right to make their own assessment is being taken away. It is true that governments are often successful in brainwashing the majority of the population; however, they can never control

One reason why a perfect society can never be made is due to the fact that even though it might be set up perfectly, we cannot change the fact that people are imperfect. Any bit of imperfection is all it takes to cause something to turn from perfect to imperfect. One writer said about utopian societies, “Even with such optimism, the flawed individual is still inserted into otherwise improved societies." (Hough 1) This quote explains how the society in general is improved, but the people are not. Governments have tried to change the way people think to create perfect humans. It is true that governments are often successful in brainwashing the majority of the population; however, they can never control everyone. There will always be someone or a group of people that will challenge this “brainwashing.”

As well as there is people who believe perfection is not attainable, there is also people who believe that it is possible to reach that, when they give everything they have. It is a much divided opinion, which will perhaps never come to one only general conclusion. To succeed in life people must always work hard and sometimes sacrifice some things they think are important, but putting them in front of another type of situations they would not be taken as a priority. The majority of these people who believe in perfection

Perfection is a deadly sickness. It is a wicked plague which clouds the mind, destroys focus, and eliminates any value you may hold for yourself. We are all told that perfectionism is, well, perfect. A flawless way to live where you make no mistakes, avoid any challenges, and are loved and cherished by everyone around you. But this cruel mindset is like a collar that chokes fun and kills passion, constricting joy and creativity in favor of the one and only best decision. The decision that will get you perfect grades, a perfect reputation, and nary an ounce of criticism. Now, while this might seem good, I can tell you for sure that it’s not. How? Because I’ve tried it.