Comparison between perfection in Artist of the Beautiful, Rappaccini's Daughter, desire and prophetic imagesIn four of Hawthorne's stories there is a struggle for power and control as a vehicle for achieve perfection or beauty. In "The Artist of Beauty", "The Daughter of Rappaccini", "The Desire" and "The Prophetic Images" the characters are controlled by the desire for perfection in their creations, but do not achieve their goals without sacrifice. Artist of the Beautiful" Owen spends years perfecting his creation. His pursuit of "Beauty" controls him. His sensitivity to delicate perfection also affects him physically as he is sickened by the great mechanical steam engine. "Once brought to see a steam engine... he turned pale and sick, as if he had been presented with something monstrous and unnatural." It is as delicate as the butterfly it creates. "For heaven's sake...so as not to drive me mad, don't touch it ! The slightest pressure of your finger would ruin me forever". In his obsessive search for perfection he isolates himself from the human experience. He builds what he believes he was "created" for without thinking about what he is sacrificing to achieve his goal. butterfly is mysterious and beautiful, but despite all her efforts she is destroyed. Years are sacrificed in the pursuit of perfection. For Owen the sacrifice may have been worth it, but considering Hawthorne's warnings about the folly of separating oneself from humanity in other stories. , could once again say that Owen's quest for mechanical perfection is a hollow victory in light of the life and joy he could have had with Annie. In "Rapaccini's Daughter" the scientist sacrifices his own daughter to bot...... middle of paper......vomit lady!...didn't I warn you?", "You did... but I love him!" Apparently, the artist painted the truth and fate of Elinor's relationship with Walter, but, persuaded by love, chose to ignore his warnings. The power of the artist is clear. He tried to make Elinor see her future with Walter clearly. But it was the power of denial (and the power of love?) that Elinor chose to follow. I think Hawthorne may be implying in these stories that perfection is unattainable and that the quest might be. unsatisfactory, even fatal. In these and some of Hawthorne's other stories, I believe he is reminding people of the delicate blessings of life. Our search for happiness outside of connection with other people and our reckless attempt to displace the power of the supernatural may lead to temporary satisfaction, but are ultimately unsatisfying and even dangerous..