PUB 4

As humans, we all want to represent ourselves in a positive and beautiful way. However, a vast majority of people desire a “perfection” that is extremely unrealistic. These people are demanding, critical thinkers about themselves, and search for a happiness that is never achieved. They search for unrealistic ideals, fantasies and often are unsure about their dreams and goals. This concept is known as idealism. The theory of idealism can be clearly depicted in literature, as seen in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, “The Birthmark.”  Idealism is often expressed in life as well- especially in the sports realm. A prime example of this is professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez’s use of steroids in the MLB.

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Birthmark” clearly exemplifies the theory of idealism. Georgina the protagonist of the story is characterized as a beautiful woman both inside and out through the eyes of everyone. The only “flaw” she possesses is a birthmark on her face. At first, this birthmark plays no effect to the perception of herself, as well as the perception of everyone else. However, this soon changes after having this “flaw” pointed out on multiple occasions by her husband Aylmer. Her actions and confidence changes and this is clearly depicted by her actions and words through-out the short story. As Hawthorne stated in the conversation between the couple, “Has it ever occurred to you that the mark upon your cheek can be removed.” (289). This quote is expressed by Aylmer proves that the idealism in his eyes rejects marks of any kind and that anything less than perfect must be changed or at least attempted to be. As would anybody in this situation, Georgina is crushed and buffeted by this remark from her own husband. Aylmer also states that she is so perfect in every way except for the birthmark which he believes is her only “visible mark of imperfection” (Hawthorne 292). The use of the word imperfection also exemplifies that any mark even as small and insignificant as a birthmark can make somebody imperfect or rudimentary. These are two of the many examples from Nathanial Hawthorne’s short story “The Birthmark” which depict idealism.

The theory of idealism is commonly scrutinized in the world today. More specifically, it is viewed in sports. An example of this is the use of steroids by professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez in the MLB. Alex Rodriguez was seen as a tremendous baseball player and a player who was loved by all fans. This desire of fame for Rodriguez compelled him to use steroids to achieve as close to perfection as possible. Rodriguez admits to the DEA “I purchased performance-enhancing drugs and payed roughly twelve thousand dollars a month over about two years to fake doctor Anthony Bosch” (Weaver 1). This proclamation from Rodriguez clearly exemplifies that a person willing to pay about twelve thousand dollars a month really seeks a need for “perfection” which will never be fulfilled in full because nobody in this earth is perfect. As Rodriguez also stated, “the HGH would help with sleep, weight, hair growth, eyesight and muscle recovery” (Weaver 2). This also proves that an athlete so renown such as Alex Rodriguez would take these supplements which would tremendously affect not only his physical features but his personality which most people would characterize as amazing to begin with, but in the eyes of Rodriguez, more “perfection” was needed. The taking of steroids by Alex Rodriguez is one of the multiple examples in the world which express idealism.