Introduction
Perfectionism is the desire for total order and conformity to the norms one sets for oneself. The desire for order is not abnormal, but perfectionists are content to exist with others who do not always endure everything according to these rules. The resulting conflicts between the perfectionist and society lead to an increasing gap between their expectations in everyday routine and, consequently, in communication and interactions.
Discussion
The graphic novel Old Father, Old Artificer by Alison Bechdel depicts a perfectionist who does not accept criticism and opportunities to make mistakes. The idea of perfectionism is reflected in Bechdel’s father’s desire to make everything perfect, from his appearance to his home decoration (Bechdel 16). His perfectionism is unhealthy, and his attitude toward his family is cold and cruel. He is alienated and does not accept how his children and wife see the world.
The father wished for a perfect facade behind which his imperfect features would not be visible, but this is broken when Bechdel exposes his sins. He does not achieve his goals by ending his life by suicide, but for Bechdel, this passes because the father never appreciates his children (Bechdel 23). His death is a metaphor for the exposure of sin (the seduction of boys), which inevitably everyone will recognize once they stop hiding behind perfect walls and decorations.
In today’s world, people can also cloak themselves in perfectionism to make themselves look good when they are not good at all. The simplest example is the culture of blogging in which the real person never reveals themselves to an audience. Another example is the demonstration donations of the movie and music stars to various foundations before albums or movies are released. Such a culture makes everyone seem perfect if one does not look for a reason for the behavior.
Conclusion
Thus, perfectionism is not only a quest to conform to one’s or others’ ideals but also a way of hiding the most fearful personality traits. Just as Father Bechdel hides his sin of seducing boys, so many people show only a perfect facade behind which they skillfully hide their real qualities. Unfortunately, uncovering such ideal personalities leads to the fact that there is no real self under the covers, and then the point of interacting with such persons disappears for many.
Work Cited
Bechdel, Alison. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. A Mariner Book, 2006.