In today's society, it seems we can't turn on the television or look at a magazine without being bombarded with images of seemingly flawless, incredible-looking women. Women today are held to unattainable beauty standards, leading to self-esteem and confidence issues. These standards have caused women to overlook the beauty God created in them and find comfort in science. We have makeup to cover our faces, Botox and collagen injections to make us look younger and plumper in just the right places, and the ultimate “gift”: plastic surgery. Women don't seem to care what the consequences are, as long as their goal of perfection is achieved. But can a person ever be truly perfect physically? The great 19th century writer, Nathaniel Hawthorne, wrote about female beauty and the efforts a man must make to achieve that physical perfection long before the era of "America's Next Top Model" and "Nip/Tuck." Hawthorne's classic tale “The Birth-mark” seems to warn against “perfecting” nature's beauty through the use of science. “The Birthmark” introduces us to a fervent scientist, Aylmer, who marries a beautiful young woman, Georgiana. Try as he might, Aylmer cannot keep his passions for both his wife and his science separate for long: “His love for his wife may prove the stronger of the two; but it could only intertwine with his love for science, and unite the strength of the latter with his own” (1321). In an attempt to unite his two loves in life, Aylmer finds a "flaw" in his beautiful wife that he is sure can be removed through the use of science. The "defect", which quickly becomes repugnant to Aylmer, can be described as "... middle of paper..." The craving" is a story that says a lot about society. How far we are willing to go to satisfy the anyone else's definition of perfection? Georgiana gave her life just to be “perfect” for just a few moments, we must be able to look in the mirror and appreciate what was given to us at the moment of conception flaws are not flaws, but simple reminders that we are all mortal. Every day a woman goes under the knife to perfect something she considers a flaw, risking death. Although cosmetic procedures are performed regularly, there is always a risk willing to accept the consequences that arise from challenging nature's beauty? Works cited Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “The Birthmark.” New York: New York, 2007. 1320-1333