It is an indisputable fact that every person, regardless of gender, age, lifestyle or intelligence, aspires to a level of perfection in others as well as in themselves. As we evolve into adulthood, we begin to set goals and look for ways in which we can be perfectly happy in our lives. When we imagine our adult life, we base ourselves on our life in childhood. The role of adults in our young lives, as well as what we live with or without, plays a role in what we perceive as perfection. As did Eveline, the protagonist of James Joyce's 1914 story “Eveline”. Based on her personal experiences with both her father and mother, as well as what she witnessed as her parents interacted with each other, she helped Eveline choose her path to what could be happiness and perfection in her adult life. When we interpret the level of perfection in others, we also base these perceptions on our own personal experiences and imperfections. The pursuit of personal perfection begins when we decide we know, or think we know, what perfection could or should be. . Once a person has decided what will allow him to take a step towards perfection, he will start and/or continue to set goals to have a career worthy of a perfectionist; like a doctor or a lawyer. Those who believe that they and their lives have achieved perfection will sometimes feel the need to extend this perfection to include others around them, normally a spouse or child. Changing another's perfection will usually begin with the outward image. As did Nathaniel Hawthorne's character Aylmer in the 1843 story "The Birthmark." Aylmer meets a wonderful woman… and convinces a beautiful woman to become his wife (McMahan 225). Aylmer soon discovered this... halfway through the paper... the days are just days of trials and tribulations that continually push us in search of perfection. As mentioned above, there are good reasons – security, love and health – to make the change towards a more perfect and positive life. But with every negative there is a positive. Seeking perfection with a blind eye can only cause fear, unhappiness and regret. The pursuit of perfection in oneself and others should not be taken lightly. The person you imagine for yourself and others may not be the person you end up being or will be with. Works Cited Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “The desire”. Literature and the writing process. Ed. ElizabethMcMahan et al. Boston: Longman, 2011. 4-7.PrintJoyce, James. "Evelina." Literature and the writing process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan et al. Boston: Longman, 2011. 225-235. Print