"The Birthmark" is a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne that was first published in 1843. The story follows the character of Aylmer, a scientist who is obsessed with removing a small, birthmark-like blemish from his wife Georgiana's cheek. The birthmark is shaped like a small, red hand and is the only blemish on Georgiana's otherwise perfect face. Aylmer is convinced that the birthmark is a sign of Georgiana's imperfection and that he can remove it through his scientific knowledge and skill.
Despite Georgiana's reservations about the procedure, Aylmer persists and eventually removes the birthmark, but at a terrible cost. Georgiana's health deteriorates rapidly and she dies just a few days after the procedure. The story ends with Aylmer standing by his wife's grave, haunted by the guilt of his actions and the realization that he was wrong to seek perfection.
"The Birthmark" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking perfection and the ultimate futility of trying to control nature. Aylmer's obsession with removing the birthmark is a metaphor for the way that society often tries to control and manipulate the natural world, whether it be through science or other means. The story suggests that there is a price to be paid for this kind of interference, and that it is ultimately futile to try and control the natural world.
In addition to its themes of perfection and the dangers of tampering with nature, "The Birthmark" also explores the complex dynamic between Aylmer and Georgiana. Aylmer's love for Georgiana is not just romantic, but also obsessive and possessive. He sees her as a project to be improved upon, rather than a person to be loved and accepted as she is. This ultimately leads to his downfall, as he is unable to see the value in Georgiana's imperfections and is unable to accept her as she is.
In conclusion, "The Birthmark" is a poignant and thought-provoking tale that speaks to the dangers of seeking perfection and the ultimately futile nature of trying to control the natural world. It also explores the complexities of love and relationships, and the importance of acceptance and appreciation for one's imperfections.
The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne Plot Summary
However, he gave up on this attempt because nature makes it easy to mess things up, only rarely makes it possible to fix things, and definitely does not allow the creation of life from nothing. Natalie Perdue Natalie has taught multiple topics for both children and adults for over two years. Aylmer sat by her side, watching her aspect with the emotions proper to a man the whole value of whose existence was involved in the process now to be tested. Georgiana comes in and finds him, and she is appalled at his demeanor. And, Aylmer, I shall quaff whatever draught you bring me; but it will be on the same principle that would induce me to take a dose of poison if offered by your hand. Georgiana is described as perfect, except for the small flaw on her cheek.
"The Birthmark" By Nathaniel Hawthorne Summary And Analysis Essay
However, Aylmer seems to be failing so far. Romantic period authors, like Nathaniel Hawthorne, a popular example of a Romantic author from the 19th century, believed that people were getting too dependent on science. Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 2005. Nathaniel Hawthorne sets the book in the period of the 1700s. When he confesses to Georgiana about her dislike for the mark, she is desperate to make him happy by doing everything possible to ensure the birthmark disappears.
Between experiments, Aylmer tells Georgiana about alchemy. She loves Aylmer more for his imperfections, even though he loves her less for hers. Throughout the story, Hawthorne shows that using science to control nature is impossible. The second is the date of publication online or last modification online. He investigates the concept of the natural depravity of human beings, a doctrine of Calvinism. The sound of her husband's footsteps aroused her. He begins by showing Georgiana some tricks in the laboratory.
There is danger in going any further. Imagine if the person you loved couldn't stop talking about how unattractive your face was! All delivered papers are samples meant to be used only for research purposes. He does not want to see her fall into sin or sorrow, and he cannot bear the idea of her death. The fact that Aylmer connects the physical flaw to moral sin seems to be the reason for this abhorrence of the birthmark and thus his justification for, in essence, murdering his wife. He believed that since he made an elixir he could choose who he wanted to use the elixir and who couldn't.
She could hear his voice in the distant furnace room giving directions to Aminadab, whose harsh, uncouth, misshapen tones were audible in response, more like the grunt or growl of a brute than human speech. Thus ever does the gross fatality of earth exult in its invariable triumph over the immortal essence which, in this dim sphere of half development, demands the completeness of a higher state. Hastening after her husband, she intruded for the first time into the laboratory. The higher intellect, the imagination, the spirit, and even the heart might all find their congenial aliment in pursuits which, as some of their ardent votaries believed, would ascend from one step of powerful intelligence to another, until the philosopher should lay his hand on the secret of creative force and perhaps make new worlds for himself. Aylmer poured a small quantity of the liquid upon the soil in which it grew. I understand that nobody can change the inner or outer beauty of a person it will always be there no matter what changes they make or try to hide.
Aylmer demonstrates the powers of the potion by pouring it into a plant with several blemishes. Romantic authors were pushing back against the literary style of the Age of Reason, which emphasized concepts of science. Even then, he leaves her alone for hours at a time to work with his assistant, Aminadab. Still, to figure out how to remove the birthmark, Aylmer returns to his old pursuits concerning the chemical origins of life. A modern romantic would be too loving to try to change his wife; a literary romantic would know better than to try to control nature. But if any shifting motion caused her to turn pale there was the mark again, a crimson stain upon the snow, in what Aylmer sometimes deemed an almost fearful distinctness. The mark disappears when she blushes.
Georgiana, you have led me deeper than ever into the heart of science. He feels science can solve all and trumps nature. Have you no trust in your husband? The potion does work; the birthmark slowly disappears. The writing style of the previous century, a time that had been known as the Age of Reason. Georgiana is angry at first, and then she weeps, asking how he can love her if she is shocking to him.
In the end of the story we understand that the symbolism of the birth-mark had represented death because, Georgiana died at the end of the story because, Aylmer was trying to change something that was meant to be left alone. Satisfied that the potion will work, Georgina then drinks it down. Then comes his dream: Aylmer now remembered his dream. Aylmer is impressed, and reveals that he has already been treating the birthmark, but to no avail. Hawthorne shows these Romantic ideals in his short story 'The Birthmark' by focusing on obsessive love and the conflict between nature and science. This shows that science can't truly dominate nature because doing so is deadly. Airy figures, absolutely bodiless ideas, and forms of unsubstantial beauty came and danced before her, imprinting their momentary footsteps on beams of light.
