Essay On The Birthmark

Essay On The Birthmark
Since the bombing of Pearl Harbor and Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, scientists question whether modern technology, such as the atomic
bomb, will initiate the beginning or the ending of an era of humankind. Seeing as hundreds of thousands of lives have been affected by nuclear warfare,
the development and use of nuclear weapons have become a controversial dispute in the past decades and still remain a prominent issue in our world
today. Prior to their execution in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nuclear bombs detonate for the purpose of testing and demonstration over thousands of
times, causing radiation and threatening environmental damage. Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "The Birthmark" emphasizes the dangers of
unregulated science, as...show more content...
As seen in World War II, thenuclear weapon engenders the havoc of humankind. Prior to its usage in wars, many scientists test the bomb on numerous
places on earth, creating damage and radiation around these testing sites. Furthermore, death is the core outcome that arises from the usage of nuclear
weapons. Sooner or later, the abuse of technology will harm the human race
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The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay
First Paper – The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne As human beings, we are NOT perfect! It is part of our nature to be flawed one way or
another. But there are some who choose to believe the opposing view. The theme of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "The Birthmark" is how
humans fight forcefully against Nature for perfection. It is those humans who, eventually, learn that Nature cannot be changed or revised. Aylmer was
a famous scientist and philosopher who achieved great wonders. All his life, he has made remarkable discoveries and won numerous awards. His life
revolved around two deep passions – the love for Nature [perfection] and the love for his wife, Georgiana [imperfection]. He believes the world is
perfect, but...show more content...
Perfection vs. Imperfection! Aylmer's life is marked by two passions– the love for Nature [perfection] and the love of his wife Georgiana
[imperfection]. His love for Nature stood for perfection because he tries to be more powerful than Nature. He challenges Nature and perfects
everything. But his love for Georgiana stood for imperfection because of her "fatal mark". This mark prevents her from being perfect. In a sense,
he is forced to choose one over the other. As much as he wishes to, he cannot choose both. Although his love for her is deep, he ignorantly chooses
to change what Nature has given her. As a result, he pays for his consequences. His obsession over the beauty he wants caused him his wife's life.
His wife dies because of his view of her "fatal birthmark" to be imperfect. Pretty vs. Ugly! There are two views of her "fatal birthmark". Some men
wished it away but others are willing to cope with her "fatal birthmark". The quote [p. 307] "Some fastidious persons – but they were exclusively of her
own sex – affirmed that the blood hand, as they chose to call it, quite destroyed the effect of Georgiana's beauty, and rendered her countenance even
hideous" illustrates the effect of her "fatal birthmark". The "bloody hand" destroyed her beauty and makes her imperfect rather than perfect. It is very
ugly to the point that it strongly hinders her beauty. In his eye, the mark took away

The Birthmark Critical Analysis
The Birthmark: A Critical Review
Hawthorne, Nathaniel "The Birthmark" Literature and the Writing Process, edited by Elizabeth McMahan, believed that Aylmer's belief is that to
have life there must be imperfection and losing imperfection was losing life. She explains as she shows us how "The Birthmark" which is a story
filled with symbolisms and irony. Hawthorne displayed this belief in his short story "The Birthmark", which is about a scientist named Aylmer who
becomes disgusted by his wife, Georgiana's tiny birthmark on her left cheek and kills her in the process of trying to remove it. He sees it as a
flaw in his beautiful wife. Georgiana knows that her birthmark disgusts him. She began to feel disgusted by this birthmark when she realizes her
husband's disgust with it; she had never felt hate for herself until she realizes his feelings toward her birthmark. He asks if she has ever considered
having it removed. This is not something she never looked at this way before, considering that other people in her life, especially men, had always
seen it as a "charm". Aylmer was not trying to just get rid of Georgiana's birthmark, rather, he was trying to change nature, He believed he had control
over it. That's where things took a toll for and up for the worst. Aylmer had a hard time accepting imperfections in life.
In "The Birthmark", Aylmer's sin is being too focused on hisscience, and he ends up killing his wife when he tries to remove her birthmark. Georgiana
could be

The Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay
The Birthmark Criticism Analysis
The short story "The Birthmark" by Nathaniel Hawthorne was written in 1843 at the beginning of the largest feminist movement in the United States of
America which occurred between the years 1840 and 1920 (National). Furthermore, during the 1830s and 1840s there were many women who spoke
out about women's rights. They argued for many changes with one of them being a social change in their duties to be subdominant to males. They
rallied around the prohibition by fighting for human rights as a whole (Women's). This period of time had a huge impact on what this story is truly
about. Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of "The Birthmark" and "The Scarlet Letter", seemed infatuated by incorporating some sort of feminist
approaches in these two narratives. In the Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne and her daughter, Pearl, are burdened by an imperfection that Hester had in a
very religious community. She is forced to wear the letter A at all times, which stands for adulteress. In both of these fictional stories, the woman is the
one who is burdened by an imperfection within their life (Van Kirk). Although these two women are seen as perfect other than these small
imperfections, they are forced by society, or men, to be submissive thus burdening them in the long run. Like in his other story, Nathaniel Hawthorne
presented Georgiana, a female, as a submissive character to a male, which happened to be her husband, in "The Birthmark," therefore, I will argue that

The Birthmark Essay: The Theme
"The Birthmark" – The Theme
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's tale, "The Birthmark," the dominant theme is love conquering self, though there is also present the theme of alienation
resulting from the evil within mankind. This essay intends to explore, exemplify and develop this topic.
Hyatt Waggoner in "Nathaniel Hawthorne" states:
Alienation is perhaps the theme he handles with greatest power. "Insulation," he sometimes called it – which suggests not only isolation but
imperviousness. It is the opposite of that "osmosis of being" that Warren has written of, that ability torespond and relate to others and the world. . . . it
puts one outside the 'magic circle' or the 'magnetic chain' of humanity, where...show more content...
The narrator seeks to justify this error or lack in Aylmer by explaining that "it was not unusual for the love of science to rival the love of woman in
its depth and absorbing energy." Already at the outset of the tale, the reader perceives that Georgiana is going to be shortchanged in this marriage.
She is exposed to the problem initially when her husband asks whether "it never occurred to you that the mark upon your cheek might be removed?''
Aylmer is in quest of physical perfection in his wife; unfortunately he discounts her inner, spiritual value so clearly manifested in her comment: ``To
tell you the truth it has been so often called a charm that I was simple enough to imagine it might be so.'' In using the word "simple" she is being
honest and not sarcastic; she is being humble and respectful of others' evaluation of herself. The reply comes from a loving, virtuous woman.
But Aylmer overlooks the precious and pursues the superficial by asserting that the birthmark is "the visible mark of earthly imperfection," and that it
"shocks" him. This appears to him as a "a stain upon the soul" (Williams 43). Georgiana perceives a lack of love in his overdone negative reaction to
the birthmark: ``Then why did you take me from

The Birthmark Symbolism
The Mortal of the Story
By looking at symbolism in The Birthmark, the reader can interpret that the birthmark is a symbol for imperfection and mortality which is not obvious
to most people. This is important because it turns the birthmark into something all readers can relate to since no one is perfect. Georgiana's birthmark
was "the fatal flaw of humanity which Nature, in one shape or another, stamps ineffaceably on all her productions" (Hawthorne 12). As stated before,
nothing is perfect, Nature has a flaw on everything and Georgiana's was her birthmark. Her husband, Aylmer, notices the birthmark and also sees it as
an imperfection even though other men would often tell her it was a charm. "No, dearest Georgiana, you came so nearly perfect from the hand of
Nature that this slightest possible defect, which we hesitate whether to term a defect or a beauty, shocks me, as being the visible mark of earthly
imperfection" (Hawthorne 11). Aylmer at first is the only one, other from jealous women, to point out her birthmark as an imperfection but his constant
talk began to make her believe she was in fact flawed. This is important because it ultimately leads to the death of Georgiana.
Once Georgiana also begins to view her birthmark as an imperfection, just like Aylmer does, she begins to hate it and demands it be removed.
"'Remove it, remove it, whatever be the cost, or we shall both go mad!'" (Hawthorne 21). Georgiana is sacrificing everything she can in order for
this birthmark to be removed, even death. Aylmer warns her of the dangers of performing such a surgery but she refuses to think it over and believes
she is "most fit to die" (Hawthorne 21). Of all mortals, she believes that she has reached her potential in the world and there is no more use for her on
the world unless she is perfect, with no birthmark and no imperfections.
Although her and Aylmer hate the birthmark, some of her past lovers and some readers might view it as unique, possibly as a symbol for her
personality. The birthmark is something that separates her from others and makes her stand out, probably why all of the women hate her birthmark,
they are jealous of her uniqueness. But Aylmer can't help but to focus on the birthmark and it's

Literary Analysis Of The Birthmark
Written by Nathaniel Hawthorne during the American Renaissance, the short story "The Birth–Mark" details the events of a brilliant scientist and
natural philosopher named Aylmer who obsesses about his wife Georgiana's birthmark in the shape of a tiny hand on her left cheek. The symbol of the
birthmark causes the plot to advance in the story, as Aylmer is compelled by this red mark to act upon his emotions. Aylmer views his wife's birthmark
as an imperfection in her virtually flawless beauty and as a result, attempts to it via a potion that he strongly believes cannot fail. His interpretation of
the birthmark creates conflict in the story, which is shaped by the symbolic meaning that he attributes it to. Aylmer's failure to accept his wife's
appearance for who she is leads to misunderstandings, pain, and ultimately, death. Portrayed as spiritual and intellectual in contrast with his crude
laboratory assistant Aminadab, Aylmer becomes disturbingly obsessed with a birthmark on his wife's countenance. The plot of theshort story revolves
around the man's attempt in removing the mark, which results in the death of Georgiana. In the very beginning of the story, the audience discovers
through the narration that Aylmer views his wife's birthmark as more than a congenital, benign irregularity on theskin. In reality, the primary reason
why he becomes severely obsessed with the birthmark is because in his eyes, the mark symbolizes something. Aylmer proceeds to further clarify his
inner thoughts by replying to his wife, "This slightest possible defect, which we hesitate whether to term a defect or a beauty, shocks me, as being
the visible mark of earthly imperfection" (Mays 340). Although Georgiana is initially mortified and even goes as far to question the existence of the
marriage between them, the narration later sheds light and explains that the precise reason why Aylmer is excessively bothered with the birthmark is
because he regards Georgiana as virtually the embodiment of perfection. As a consequence, perceiving a flaw on his wife's image that clashes with the
concept of her beauty inevitably leads him to feel aggrieved and begin to judge the birthmark as a dangerous blemish residing on her skin. The audience

Essay about The Birthmark
&#65279; A Story of Love and Science A Story of Love and Science      Nathaniel Hawthorne is a nineteenth
century American Novelist whose works are deeply concerned with the ethical problems of sin, punishment, and atonement (Adams 168). The New
England writer also handles the romantic theme very well and is a master of historical fiction. Hawthorne was a descendant of one of the judges at the
Salem witch trials, and he set many of his works in Puritan New England and during early crises in American history (Encarta).
     "The Birthmark," like many of Hawthorne's stories deals with the relationship between men and women. It is a
love story...show more content...
Her only defect is a birthmark, shaped like a tiny reddish hand, on her cheek. Aylmer is obsessed with this imperfection and longs to get rid of it. He
would sooner have Georgiana dead than impure (Jones 194). When he sees the birthmark Aylmer cannot restrain "a strong convulsive shudder." He
thinks it is "intolerable" and it "shocks" him. It is a "frightful object," (Hawthorne 204–205). Not long after the wedding day, Aylmer comes to a
haunting awareness of "his wife's liability to sin, sorrow, decay and death" (Hawthorne 205), symbolized by the tiny birthmark on her cheek. This
mark becomes to him "the spectral Hand that wrote mortality, where he would fain have worshiped" (205). Aylmer's personality resists this: His
lifelong search, Hawthorne suggests, has been for "ultimate control over nature" (203).      Aylmer is unable to
reconcile himself to this imperfection, and Georgiana, made unhappy also by his dissatisfaction, urges him to use his esoteric powers to try
removing it (Adams 169). He succeeds in doing this, but when the birthmark fades away, and her beauty is flawless, she dies. She does not blame her
husband for his doings. "My poor Aylmer," she says, "'you have aimed loftily; you have done nobly. Do not repent that with so high and pure a feeling,
you have rejected the best earth could offer. Aylmer, dearest

The Birthmark Theme
The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a very deep and complex story with many themes and main ideas contained therein. After a summary of the
story, a thorough analyzation reveals the main themes to be love's progression to obsession and the conflict between science and nature. Before an
analysis can begin, the story must have all of its major events summarized.
The Birthmark is a story with many complex elements, among those being love and loss. In this story, a brilliant scientist by the name of Aylmer
possesses great fame in scientific communities. Aylmer lovesscience, perhaps even more than he loves his wife, Georgiana. Georgiana is a very
beautiful woman, but she possesses a hand–shaped birthmark on her left cheek. Many of Georgiana's lovers thought this birthmark made her more
beautiful, but Aylmer thinks it is hideous. He even reaches a point where he hates the birthmark on Georgiana's face more than he loves her. Aylmer
thinks he can remove Georgiana's birthmark through some of his scientific methods and asks her if she had ever thought it possible before. Georgiana
is hurt by these remarks, but she loves her husband so much that she agrees to his plan. Aylmer is elated by the opportunity to show Georgiana his
laboratory and works tirelessly to find a way to remove the birthmark from her cheek. After many unsuccessful attempts, Aylmer finally manages to
develop a potent concoction that he believes will remove the birthmark from Georgiana's face. Before she

The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "The Birthmark," there are many views on the need for science and its advances. Hawthorne's protagonist,
Aylmer, illustrates his own personal assessment of science. The story is based on the idea that science can solve all of humanities ills and problems.
Hawthorne believes that science is overrunning life. Aylmer is consumed by his passion of overtake MotherNature. The story shows how Aylmer's
passion leads to not only his downfall but that of his wife Georgiana as well. The belief that science can solve and do anything is one of ignorance
because it totally disregards the human element of spirituality.
The idea of hubris, which is a Greek word...show more content...
Hawthorne develops the character of Aminadab to serve this purpose. Aminadab is the perfect contrast to Aylmer. Aminadab "seemed to represent
man's physical nature; while Aylmer's slender figure, and pale, intellectual face, were no less apt a spiritual element" (48). Aminadab realizes that
Georgiana is indeed perfect the way she is, and should not be tampered with. This is shown in a quote from Aminadab, " 'if she were my wife, I'd
never part with that birthmark' " (48). He realizes science cannot overtake Mother Nature. Aylmer's view towards it is one of disgust. He thinks "it
will be such a rapture to remove it" (48). This shows the contrast of the men, Aminadab and Aylmer. When Aminadab chuckles the "hoarse, chuckling
laugh," (55) at the end of the story, it really drives Hawthorne's point home. That is, it is laughable to believe that science can solve all of life's
mysteries.
Aylmer's book of experiments and their results is a metaphor for how scientific discovery only leads us to find more questions not answers. In
Aylmer's book, it shows that all his great achievements and discoveries were merely accidents and by–products of his original goals that failed to
achieve conclusive answers: "his most splendid successes were most invariably failures, if compared with the ideal at which he aimed" (51). It
becomes apparent to the reader that all of Aylmer's attempts were merely futile and in

The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne In Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story The Birthmark, the narrator introduces us to Aylmer, a brilliant
scientist who spent his life studying nature extensively to the detriment of his own personal life. His wife, Georgiana, has been marked with a small,
red birthmark on her cheek that most men found attractive all her life. Aylmer only sees this birthmark as a flaw and his desire for perfection can
only result in death for Georgiana because becoming an ideal, perfect being means she cannot exist in this world. He decides he is going to remove
the birthmark to make his wife perfect, without knowing that by doing so he kills her. Aylmer sees Georgiana's birthmark as a symbol of human
imperfection,...show more content...
The moral behind this story is that no human can live as a perfect being, since we are naturally imperfect. In the article written by Lynn
Shakinovsky, "The Return Of The Repressed," she states that the birthmark is a metaphor for Georgiana's identity, her sexuality, and her being.
Consequently, Aylmer does not realize that in removing the mark, he removes all there is of his wife. The narrator warns us by implying that the
mark is "deeply interwoven with the texture and substance of her face" (37). Aylmer's assistant, Aminadab, even comments that "if she were his wife,
he would never part with that birthmark" (43), and even Georgiana herself says, "the stain goes as deep as life itself" (41). We are repeatedly warned
that the birthmark has a significant importance and that it embodies more than just a physical imperfect. The motif even surfaces in Aylmer's dream:
"the deeper went the knife, the deeper sank the hand, until at length its tiny grasp appeared to have caught hold of Georgiana's heart." (40).
Shakinovsky further analyzes the reasons for Aylmer meddling with science and nature. She states that, "For Aylmer, the mark supposedly represents
Georgiana's connection to earthliness, her lack of heavenly perfection, and is therefore unacceptable. The narrator shifts this view only slightly. Like
Aylmer, he regards the mark as a blemish; he simply sees it as a blemish, which implies her true perfection. He cannot grasp

The Birthmark Essay
Should we let others be the arbitrator of what is to be deemed perfect? The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne a dark romance short story illustrates
a mans obsession with perfecting the beauty of his companion. The author uses a very remotely known diction but is still able to convey his audience
of what he is trying to portray. The picture that the author is trying to share is of that which is entwined with perfecting things we believe to be
"broken." To be more specific the text mentions a birthmark on the main character wife which the main character finds it to be an imperfection of
nature that shouldn't be on such a perfect being. The main character does everything in his power in order to resolve this ordeal but ends up losing his
spouse....show more content...
In our society people are trying to perfect their flaws and are inattentively blind to the damage that it is inflecting on their lives. Human beings are
not meant to be perfect but are to be an accepted imperfection of nature. As the story beings the main character Aylmer is a well acknowledged man
of science that was able to win the heart of a beautiful woman with his specialty in science at the time. The story mentions that "We know not
whether Aylmer possessed this degree of faith in man's ultimate control over Nature." This is the first instance that shows a relation to the idea of
perfection. Aylmer here is inferred to be so perfect that he has enough knowledge in science to change any deformity of nature. Therefore, making
nature power inferior to what Aylmer perfection in science can achieve. Aylmer being able to possess a wife to share his tender love with is, so
closely intertwined with perfection that he is disgust with the idea of a having a wife with an imperfection. And so it occurred that Aylmer mention
after to his wife about her imperfection, which Georgiana his wife fails to realize the seriousness of the matter at the first strike. After

Examples Of Archetypes In The Birthmark
In "The Birthmark" the relationships and behaviors of the character reveal much more than the story itself does. The characters of Aylmer, Georgian,
Amenidab and Nature itself, through their words, actions, and behaviors give insight into a much more meaningful story. A deeper analysis of the
characters reveals that they are archetypes, and as archetypes they provide a deeper hidden meaning to the story. By looking at Aylmer, Georgiana,
Amenidab and Natures relationships and actions throughout the story we can see how they are used to give deeper significance. The character of
Aylmer can be seen as a sinister, mad scientist who constantly fights withnature in order to attain human perfection. From the beginning of the story
Aylmer's...show more content...
Once again this shows Aylmer is not concerned about his wife but rather his victory of nature itself. Aylmer's true motives can be seen at the end of
the story after he has given Georgiana the liquid that supposedly will take the mark away. "'Matter and spirit–earth and heaven–have both done their
part in this! Laugh, thing of the senses! You have earned the right to laugh'" (Hawthorne 231). This shows Aylmer's moment of ecstasy as he seems to
have defied nature and begins to laugh in the face of nature itself. This undirected, almost insane laughter shows Aylmer's true motive of defying nature
and creating perfection through science. The archetype of Georgiana can be seen as the perfect women, however, her birthmark acts as a symbol of
imperfection and mortality that keeps her from fully pleasing her husband. Georgiana is described as beautiful and perfect except for one flaw, the
birthmark. "It was the fatal flaw of humanity which Nature, in one shape or another, stamps ineffaceably on all her productions, either to imply that
they are temporary and finite, or that their perfection must be wrought by toil and pain" (Hawthorne 220). The hand–shaped birthmark can be seen as
her being touched by nature and acts as a symbol of imperfection and mortality in humans. The symbol of the birth–mark standing for mortality can be
seen again towards the end

The Birthmark Character Analysis Essay
Nathaniel Hawthorne, created " The Birthmark" to give the reader's an insight analysis of character behavior. The author introduces Aylmer as a
brilliant scientist whose actions are guided by the overpowered sense of decency. As the reader's analyzes the character Aylmer in " The Birthmark"
one may witness nature not as beauty, but as imperfection, therefore feels within his power to correct.Aylmer, who is a protagonist in nature considers
working in the opposite direction with reality. His obsession for science takes a turn leading his thoughts to control the spiritual world. Regardless,
Aylmer has a vast knowledge in the scientific discoveries in both the spiritual and physical world. As the author states, " It is the most precious poison
that ever was concocted in this world" (Hawthorne 346). While he thinks of making a concoction that would give human beings eternal life, Aylmer
has been seen working on turning base metals into gold. In real essence, an onlooker may wonder how this can happen in the real world, but for the
individual who understands...show more content...
The author introduces Aylmer as a brilliant scientist, who to a certain extent sees himself as God. Aylmer behavior is very controlling and manipulative
to others around him, which leads him to correct imperfection. Aylmer states, "Aminadab! Aminadab! Shouted Aylmer, stamping violently on the
floor"(Hawthorne 344). Demonstrating this behavior leads to overpowering desire of perfection and his ability to control. Aminadab, Aylmer's servant,
tries to inform his master to leave the Birthmark alone, but Aylmer is obsessive about making her his own idea of perfection. As Aminadab states, " If
she were my wife, I'd never part with that birth–mark" ( Hawthorne 344). However, the scientific ideas on Aylmer's mind won't let him forget the
birthmark. He believes he can remove it with the help of

External and Internal Conflict in "The Birthmark"
This essay will analyze Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Birthmark" to determine the external and internal conflicts in the tale.
In the opinion of this reader, the central conflicts in the tale – the relation between the protagonist and antagonist usually (Abrams 225) – are the external
one between Aylmer and Georgiana over the birthmark on her cheek, andinternal ones within Georgiana between love and self–interest and alienation,
and within Aylmer regarding scientific good and evil, success and failure.
Hyatt Waggoner in "Nathaniel Hawthorne" states:
Alienation is perhaps the theme he handles with greatest power. "Insulation," he sometimes...show more content...
Through the course of the story Aylmer declines spiritually, while Georgiana advances spiritually due to their responses to external and internal conflict.
Even after Aylmer has "persuaded a beautiful woman to become his wife," he is not capable of loving her properly, unselfishly, because he "had
devoted himself, however, too unreservedly to scientific studies ever to be weaned from them by any second passion." He exemplifies another favorite
theme of Hawthorne's – "moral responsibility" (Bradley 47), or rather the lack thereof.
The narrator seeks to justify this error or lack in Aylmer by explaining that "it was not unusual for the love of science to rival the love of woman in
its depth and absorbing energy." Already at the outset of the tale, the reader perceives that Georgiana is going to be shortchanged in this marriage, that
an external struggle with her husband will cause an internal struggle within. She is exposed to the problem initially when her husband asks whether
"it never occurred to you that the mark upon your cheek might be removed?'' Aylmer is in quest of physical perfection in his wife; unfortunately he
discounts her inner, spiritual value so clearly manifested in her comment: ``To tell you the truth it has been so often called a charm that I was simple
enough to imagine it might be so.'' In using the word "simple" she is being honest and not sarcastic; she is being humble and respectful of others'

Women in The Birthmark Essay
"The Birthmark" – Women
"Everything he has to say is related, finally, to 'that inward sphere.' For the heart is the meeting–place of all the forces – spiritual and physical, light and
dark, that compete for dominance in man's nature. . . ." (McPherson 68–69). McPherson's "heart" is the key to understanding the role of women in
Nathaniel Hawthorne's tale, "The Birthmark."
Only imperfection is what nearsighted Aylmer sees in the birthmark on Georgiana's cheek. But he is unfortunately oblivious to the virtue in her soul,
the deep beauty contained in the depth of her love for him. The wife's virtue leads her onward and upward; the husband's lack thereof and inability to
appreciate virtue in his Georgiana leads...show more content...
The reply comes from a virtuous woman. "Hawthorne himself was preoccupied with . . .the conflict between pride and humility" (Swisher 13).
But Aylmer overlooks the precious and pursues the superficial by asserting that the birthmark is "the visible mark of earthly imperfection," and that it
"shocks" him. Georgiana perceives a lack of love in his overdone negative reaction to the birthmark: ``Then why did you take me from my mother's
side? You cannot love what shocks you!''
The narrator includes observations of other women regarding the mark: "Some fastidious persons –– but they were exclusively of her own sex ––
affirmed that the bloody hand, as they chose to call it, quite destroyed the effect of Georgiana's beauty, and rendered her countenance even hideous."
The narrator opposes such an absurd accusation, likening it to the ridiculousness of asserting that blue veins in quality marble degrade the marble: "But
it would be as reasonable to say that one of those small blue stains which sometimes occur in the purest statuary marble would convert

The Birthmark Literary Analysis
In "The Birthmark", a short story by Nathanial Hawthorne, the use of the archetypal conflict Nature vs. Science, the character of Damsel in Distress,
and the symbol of the Incurable Wound show how easily beauty is overlooked in the endeavor for perfection. The archetypal conflict of Nature vs.
Science is shown in Aylmer's intention to remove the birthmark, nature's constant reminder of human mortality, from Georgiana's cheek. Aylmer
believed that the birthmark might heighten Georgiana's beauty if it wasn't her only visible imperfection, but on Georgiana's otherwise flawless
complexion the birthmark was nothing more than "the fatal flaw of humanity...the ineludible gripe in which mortality clutches the highest and purest of
earthly mould,...show more content...
Georgiana had always lived with the birthmark, and was quite fond of its charm. Many people in the town believe it was a fairy's handprint left to
sway all hearts; to them the mark only magnified her appeal. The mark's charm had rarely been questioned by anyone other than the jealous women
of the town, and its peculiar nature had once intrigued Aylmer and amplified his attraction to Georgiana. He begged for her hand in marriage, but
soon after they were wed, he queried whether Georgiana had ever considered having the birthmark removed. She was hurt by the implication that the
mark depreciated her and grew upset with her husband. As time passed, Aylmer continued to stare at the mark, unable to keep his eyes from
wandering to it. This continued until Georgiana was no longer able to ignore the way his eyes were always fixated on this sole imperfection, the
crimson hand that kept him up at night and plagued his dreams. She asked Aylmer to remove the mark, or take her life because she no longer wanted
to live if she had to live with the mark. She preferred death to the harsh scrutiny from her husband. The symbolic meaning of the Incurable Wound is
used to show the psychological impact of Georgiana's insecurity about the birthmark because of Aylmer's lack of acceptance of her natural beauty.
"Research has primarily focused on the consequences of exposure to beauty advertising

The Birthmark Essay
Can you imagine a world without imperfections? A world where everyone is perfect is unattainable, but if scientifically there were a way to eliminate
imperfections and life threatening diseases, presumably, many people would be curious. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "The Birthmark," the
author explores the idea of perfection with the help of science. Modern examples of this are mentioned in articles posted on NPR.org and time.com,
genetically modifying DNA in human embryos has become largely controversial. By using a method called CRISPR, first, it identifies the defective
gene, and then it cuts and repairs the gene, not only for that embryo, but for generations to come. With all the scientific knowledge that we are gaining,
we...show more content...
It is clear to say that perfection is completely unattainable. So, although Aylmer is capable of ridding the birthmark, if anyone is able to take away
their imperfections, it is inevitable that society will become corrupt. Although the intentions of genetically modifying DNA in human embryos is
aimed to rid society of genetic defects, it is still essential that this scientific discovery remains ethical. In an article on NPR.org, Rob Stein describes
an experiment that scientists have been conducting in which they modify human DNA in order to eliminate life threatening genetic diseases that
could be passed on for generations (Stein). In Portland, at Oregon Health & Science University, Paula Amato, an associate professor of obstetrics
and gynecology, explains "that their work is aimed at preventing terrible diseases, not creating genetically enhanced people...much more research is
needed to confirm the technique is safe and effective before anyone tries to make a baby this way"(Stein). Because scientists like Amato realize their
research is controversial, they are taking every precaution to assure what they are doing is morally correct, they are not intending to corrupt society.
Although their intentions are good, it is their job to make sure their research is being used in an ethical way. If not, millions of people, who are
already obsessed with the idea of perfection, will be able to do something about

The Birthmark Summary
1– Plot The story begins with Aylmer asking Georgiana if she had ever thought to remove her birthmark. Upon her answering that she had always
thought it to be endearing, as her other suitors had always made it appear that way, Aylmer insists it is ruining her perfection. The pivotal moment is
when Georgiana asks about the dream Aylmer had the night before. After the description of his dream that we see how prideful Aylmer is. Though he
feels guilty for dreaming of cutting the mark out with a knife and only then was he made "aware of the tyrannizing influence acquired by one idea
over his mind", this clarity does not keep him from being determined that he can and must remove her birthmark. We see how prideful he is in his
work as he tells Georgiana...show more content...
However, because he is so prideful in his motives he fails to see that his actions are more damaging than helpful. His pride is his fatal flaw and
through the entire story we are given examples of the wisdom and spiritual enlightenment he has received, yet ignores. The best example is when
he tells Georgiana that "a philosopher who should go deep enough to acquire the power would attain too lofty a wisdom to stoop to the exercise of
it." This shows he fails to recognize that he is the one with the power, in this instance to create a potion powerful enough to get rid of the birthmark.
It also shows that he ignores the fact that he has the wisdom enough to know he should not try and correct Nature. The other important character is
Georgiana, who begins as a confident character who sees no issue with her birthmark. She is crucial to the changes that happen in Aylmer because
instead of standing up for herself and defending her birthmark, she gives in to his cruel words and begins to believe the horrible things he say. If she
had not been so passive and had not let him prey on her insecurities, perhaps she could have stopped him creating the poison that eventually lead to her

Essay On The Birthmark

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Essay On The Birthmark