Research Paper
“The Birthmark” focuses on our desire to conquer science to achieve perfection. Science is “a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.” (Dictionary.com) Perfection is “a quality, trait, or feature of the highest degree of excellence. In such a technologically advanced world, science must exist in order to achieve perfection. In psychology, self consciousness and the pursuit of happiness drives people to be “perfect”. Modern media plays a big role by setting high social standards that impose on modern day society. “Women’s magazines are full of articles urging that if they can just lose those last twenty pounds, they’ll have it all—the perfect marriage, loving children, great sex, and a rewarding career.” (Beauty and Body1) The media exemplify celebrities as perfect role models, portraying to the public that everyone in society should look a certain way. “Usually we strive toward being perfect to compensate for a sense of inadequacy.” (Schwartz 1) “In our culture we move relentlessly toward greater emphasis on achievement and goal orientation.” (Schwartz 1) In society our appearance and achievement are judged by our peers and coworkers. The fear of being ostracized leads to self-consciousness and a sense of inadequacy creating a need for personal change. Through observation people have learned that in some cases changing their appearance help them in their pursuit to happiness. Some go as far as using the art and science of plastic surgery to conform to these high strict social standards. In another aspect however, the correlation between science and perfection find common ground in the industrial business world. “The basic goal of quality control is to ensure that products, services, or processes provided must meet specific requirements and are