Unattainable Perfection

The expression I am simply military homo is a phrase coined by people in order to blame their faults on valetity. The question many philosophers take over asked is if saint is attainable. In his short stories, The Birth end, The see and the moody Veil, and The aged Champion, Nathaniel Hawthorne illustrates the man condition as integrity of tender-hearted defectiveion and ungodliness that potful be destructive if not controlled. Hawthorne effectively portrays what can happen if an individual is not monitored by society in his stories. He emphasizes the economic consumption of the individual in the society and the limitations that the society essential place on that individual.U ill-doingg symbolismism, characterization, and paradoxes, Hawthorne emphasizes human sorts faults and their imperative role in the character of all men. Most importantly, he emphasizes that perfection and the cleanup spot of all sin is not come-at-able. Hawthorne uses symbols and extended a llegories to elucidate the true nature of human attri justes. The Birthmark is a story about an obsessive scientist soma Aylmer who strives to prefect his wife. The predominate symbol in this story is the birthmark on his, another(prenominal) wise perfect, wife a mark of deeper crimson, which imperfectly defined its specify (Hawthorne148).This mark is identified very fillly with Georgiana, Aylmers wife, because it changes with her emotions and motions. This suggests that Georgiana does not besides have an imperfection embedded in her skin, notwithstanding that she is imperfection embodied. Hawthorne specifically marked Georgiana as an imperfection because she is a woman, tainted with sin from the snap of Adam and Eve (Fetterley 3). Because all of mankind is Eves children, this mark is the fatal taint of humanity which Naturestamps inef stageably on all her productions (Hawthorne 149).Hawthorne olibanum emphasizes that men are supposed to be imperfect in affinity to pristi ne and refined nature. Therefore, humans should look upon nature as a role model so that they can be as close to perfect as possible. This is what Aylmer does as he attempts to perfect the settleer he shows Georgiana. However, he does this is a frenetic, destructive government agency which is his flaw and proves that not only women are imperfect. His elusive goal is evident when, at first, the flower is perfect, but then the whole plant suffers a blight, its leaves turning coal-black as if by the agency of the fire (Hawthorne 155).The moral is that humans should not interrupt with nature because nature is already perfect Hawthornes unique way of expressing a universal sympathy with Nature (Longfellow 1). The parallel result of Georgiana anxious(p) after achieving perfection exhibits that the perfection of man goes against nature. Mr. Hoopers velum in the pastor and the Black Veil is also an causa of human lubricity. This veil covers the majority of his face, and does not int ercept his sight, further than to give a darken aspect to all living and unanimated things (Hawthorne 10).The Black Veil represents the sin that he has committed and the facade that he chooses to hide it behind. However, it also shields him from the sin of his entire community (Emmett 1). His let sin has allowed his vision to see things in a darkened aspect so as to see that everyone has his own dark secrets (10). He realizes that although everyone professes to be pure, their entire life is a bet to hide their true selves their imperfect selves. If each individual and the society they exonerate up is imperfect as stated in the Minister and the Black Veil, then so is a farming made of humankind.As the States was the first country formed from the true aspirations of mankind, it is destined for corruption. This is why Hawthorne has created the symbol of The decrepit Champion. Representing a type of New Englands genetical spirit, and his shadowy bound, on the Eve of danger, this champion is the guardian angel of the country the faith that has founded and developed the nation (Hawthorne 9). Although Hawthorne specifically speaks of protection from war and enemies, sexual corruption also looms. The individual flaws of its citizens can eat at a country from within without religion and a faith in theology to keep them on a righteous path.Hawthornes characterization allows the contributor to understand the state of mind and decisions of his characters. This, in turn, helps establish the weaknesses that they have that pick out them human. Although the character with the apparent imperfection in the Birthmark is Georgiana, it is Aylmer that best depicts the human condition. He is said to represent a type of spiritual atom and stock-still Georgiana observes that he handles physical details as if there were zero back breaker beyond them, yet spiritualized them all and redeemed himself from materialism (Hawthorne 153).This suggests that while Aylmer consider s him a man of science, it is the supernatural and abstract things that he is experimenting with. His faith in mans ultimate control over nature is his tragic flaw (Hawthorne 148). Killing his wife in the pursuit of an impossible goal is an example of an individual not being checked by the natural flow of the society. By making this vice so evident, Hawthorne reveals that ultimately, everyones faults are obvious. With this stark(a) style, Hawthorne fights against the ambiguous nature of humans.Father Hooper is likewise flawed, but his uncleanliness is even more apparent. His obvious flaw is his secret sin that involves his association with a tardily deceased young lady. The community adores him, but also fears him to the point that their instinctive dread causes him to feel more strongly than aught else (Hawthorne 19). Consequently, the respect and responsibility he bares from the society, the hatred of himself, and his understanding that everyone and the Earth, likewise, has on her Black Veil, forces the reader to sympathize with him (20). In Poes words, it smothers the sin (2).By creating sympathy for his character, Hawthorne distinctly expresses that sins should be pardoned because they are human nature. He conveys that humans should accept their condition. Although the Gray Champion is an allegory, he too has characterization. He is a shadowy march and follows darkness, and adversity, and peril (Hawthorne 9). Although he is the hero and protector that the country needs, he essential be darkness to face the malfeasance that is present in battle. Thus, human kind must be willing to accept their impurities in order to face the devilish that is found in the cosmos.The small amount of sin and evil they posses, can protect men from evil because those that are all acceptable are innocent and naive. Because Hawthorne creates forgivable characters who are clearly only human, it is clear that he believes that people do have some neat in them and should st rive to express this sooner of absolute perfection. The paradox is a statement that is two true and untrue. Hawthorne viewed human nature as a stream of paradoxes that seems incompatible, but is the base of humanity. Ergo, he uses contradictory words and characters end-to-end his stories.Perfection is an element that is judged differently by different individuals. One habitual perception is that, despite the phrase practice makes perfect, no one is perfect. This is a key theme in the story The Birthmark where Georgiana is exposit as so nearly perfect from the hand of Nature that this slightest possible defect (the birthmark), which we hesitate whether to term a defect or a beauty is the visible mark of earthly imperfection (Hawthorne 148). Illustrating that humanity craves for perfection this quote exemplifies how imperfection highlights perfection.This is why one rejoices when others do poorly (so they can stand out as extraordinary). The birthmark can be both beautiful and i mperfect because there is a small difference between perfection and imperfection. Humans are imperfect beings that can harm themselves when mental strain for perfection, an abstract and indefinable concept. The minister grows sad and frustrated in the Minister and the Black Veil, when children flee from his approach and he is deemed an irreparable bugbear (Hawthorne 19).This becomes inconclusive because, as the minister, he still retains the respect of the society. The community is to be criticized for being judgmental without true fact, but Hawthorne indubitably accepts this as an inescapable ingredient of human nature. Humans easily judge their peers based on volatile allegation and slander. This is why the media in our time is so destructive. While this is close to definitely one of our greatest flaws, it also helps us protect ourselves from on the hook(predicate) individuals that, from Hawthornes point of view, need to be controlled by their society.In The Gray Champion, Ha wthorne described the soldiers as solemn, but with a warlike peale of voice, fit either to rule a host in the battlefield or be raised to divinity fudge in prayer, a contradictory statement (Hawthorne. 5). This behavior can be compared to how people can be so full of faith yet so violent and how religions can preach peace and compassion, but denote war on each other. These are the many great paradoxes of human kind.The truth is that both faith and violence are instincts of human nature( the cause to compensate for death and the latter to defend oneself or obtain what is cherished or needed) This is ironic because without violence, there would not be so some(prenominal) death. It is a good thing that these components are deeply meshed in the texture of human experience (Arvin xv). Without the paradox of human nature, the entire world would be off balanced with too much evil, or too much good. Without one, the other can not be distinguished. Humans have one thing in common with ea ch other our imperfect and sinful nature.Hawthornes purpose is to force readers to see this as he did in his observation journals (Hilton 2). He believed that once this is acknowledged, people can pull ahead without pretending to be pure or punishing themselves for their nature. Society should instead concentrate on restricting the dark part of humanity. In his stories, Hawthorne creates symbols, characters, and paradoxes that represent the complex state of the human condition. He clarifies that perfection is not attainable, but that perfection of human nature is not essential for mankind to fly high and be good.