To what extend the need of being perfect leads man to its own destruction? Perfection seen through the film “The Black Swan”.

Claudia Patricia Villacís Galarza

IB Code: 001421-054

Words: 3980
Abstract
The research question of this extended essay is: To what extend the need of being perfect leads man to its own destruction? It is an analysis of perfection through the film The Black Swan. In the film the main character, Nina, is an obsessed ballerina who at the end destroyed her own life. I began the essay trying to prove that her obsession with being perfect is what leaded her to her destruction and death, but after analyzing the movie it all turned around.
I based my investigation in reviews of the film, different type of …show more content…

Therefore, is it really that necessary to be perfect at something? Would not it be better just to be good at it? Why giving it so much importance? Those are questions everybody should ask themselves and is the reason why I consider this topic is worth of being analyzed.
According to Elliot D. Cohen, in an interview with the Chicago Tribune “there is no such thing as perfection in this imperfect world and that when you demand that you attain it, you are in for a life of frustration and high-level stress.” (Elliot D. Cohen, 2011) Cohen has made a point; people who are constantly trying to achieve this are just wasting their lives, they just get frustrated and stressed, which is what, frequently happens in our society. In the case of the movie “Black Swan” from director Darren Aronofsky, released in 2010, it is shown an attempt of reaching perfection by the protagonist, Nina, played by Natalie Portman, who represents a ballet dancer. “We all know the story. Virginal girl, pure and sweet, trapped in the body of a swan. She desires freedom, but only true love can break the spell. Her wish is nearly granted in the form of a prince. But, before he can declare his love, the lustful twin, the Black Swan, tricks and seduces him. Devastated, the White Swan leaps off a cliff, killing herself and, in death, finds freedom”. (VigilantCitizen, 2011) These are the