Essay about Analysis of "The Birthmark"

Georgiana knows the strain this is putting their marriage. Georgiana begun to contemplate the removal of the birth-mark as well, "Aylmer," resumed Georgiana, solemnly, "I know not what may be the cost to both of us to rid me of this fatal birthmark. Perhaps its removal may cause cureless deformity; or it may be the stain goes as deep as life itself. Again: do we know that there is a possibility, on any terms, of unclasping the firm gripe of this little hand which was laid upon me before I came into the world?" Aylmer assured her "Dearest Georgiana, I have spent much thought upon the subject," hastily interrupted Aylmer. "I am convinced of the perfect practicability of its

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,

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.

In the piece “The Birthmark” it is impossible and foolish to try to reach perfection. Because we all have been stamped with the imperfections of nature when Adam and Eve took a bite from the tree in the garden of Eden…..

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

In Hawthorne’s short story “The Birthmark”, Aylmer feels that his wife Georgiana is a miracle and that she is perfect. Her only flaw was the birthmark in the shape of a hand placed on her cheek. Instead of focusing on all her Georgiana’s perfections, Aylmer only focused on one of her flaws, the birthmark. Aylmer constructs a statement about her birthmark saying that, “It was the fatal flaw of humanity which Nature, in one shape or another, stamps ineffaceably on her productions, either to imply that they are temporary and finite, or that their perfection must be wrought by toil and pain.”(Meyer 345)

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

Soon after Aylmer tells his spouse that the mark on her face bothers him, she practically begs him to remove it. Aylmer is more than happy to remove the birthmark and has no doubt that he can do so. While discussing the removal on page 316, he tells Georgiana that he “feels fully competent” to “render [Georgiana’s] cheek as faultless as its fellow.” He goes on to describe the sense of triumph he will feel when it is finally corrected. He only cares about the removal of the birthmark and not what may happen to his wife. Even though the mark bothers him, he reveals to Georgiana that “even [he] rejoices in this simple imperfection, since it will be such a rapture to remove it” (Hawthorne 318). This shows that Georgiana is not the love of Aylmer’s life, but rather science. He puts all of his faith directly into it. Barbara Eckstein states that “Aylmer’s study of minute details becomes a system of belief for Aylmer” (517). Even after Georgiana faints on page 317, Aylmer is “without alarm; for he was confident in his science, and felt that he could draw a magic circle round her within which no evil might intrude” (Hawthorne). This seems ludicrous to most people, but Aylmer had absolute faith in

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.

First, Hawthorne shows his worldview through his use of Aylmer’s obsession with the birthmark to show a sign of imperfection. When Aylmer is conversing with his wife Georgiana regarding the birthmark, he says “This slightest possible defect shocks me as being the visible mark of earthly imperfection.” (Hawthorne, 5). This is important because it shows that Aylmer is troubled by the birthmark and cannot leave it alone. In addition, it also shows that Aylmer ignores the main characteristics and features of Georgiana, such as her great personal qualities, in order to focus on the one imperfection, the birthmark. Adding on, the birthmark is stated as being: “It was the fatal flaw of humanity which Nature, in one shape or another, stamps ineffaceable on all her productions” (Nelson, 12). The birthmark is a part of nature and is inevitable because it cannot be altered or removed. Furthermore, the birthmark is a reminder that imperfection is part of

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.

Throughout the story, Aylmer obsessively pursues the impossibility of perfection. It is impossible to perfect or control something not meant for human hands. Hawthorne Writes, ”Yet, had Aylmer reached a profounder Wisdom, he need not thus have flung away the happiness which would have woven his mortal life of the selfsame text the

We all have our imperfections, right? People always have something “imperfect” on them, but what happens when one fixates on an imperfection? In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Birthmark a man fixates on his beautiful wife's birthmark that’s on her cheek. The man in the story is a scientist named Aylmer married to a gorgeous woman named Georgina. One night Aylmer notices Georgina’s red hand shaped birthmark, and it troubles him although many men would be grateful to even be able to simply look upon Georgina’s face. After attempts to try to rid Georgina’s birthmark from her cheek one attempt works, but the exliter to remove the birthmark kills the poor, now perfect, Georgina. In The Birthmark our character Aylmer desires perfection, is selfish and is remarkably intelligent. All of the characteristics that Aylmer obtains causes Georgina's demise.

Her Birthmark in Alymer’s eyes is “The symbol of his wife’s liability to sin, sorrow, decay, and death”(220), however it is much more than that. Her birthmark symbolizes her individualism and identity as it sets her apart from everyone else and makes her unique. The birthmark is part of georgiana’s identity and to remove it is to remove herself. Nothing in this world is created perfectly as that is the rule of life. While striving for perfection can create many wonders, it is important to also enjoy the imperection in life just as much. Imperfection makes life unique and interesting. To go above nature’s law and make something truly perfect is to reject it’s generous gift of

Humanitarian behavior and attitude towards the appearance and the perspective through which they understand things differs from one individual to another. These impacts can be characterized by psychological nature of an individual, current situation in nature, the physical appearance of a person, incapability amongst others. Such factors act majorly and determine a lot on how people behave and think towards each other. This scenario makes it hard for an individual to examine his/her own life but rather criticize those of others. The desire for Aylmer to right the wrong on his wife’s cheek shows how humans are hypocritical. They often see mistakes on other people and not on oneself. According to some authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, he argues that in his article “The Birthmark”, if there were ways and mechanism to create a perfect human then that would be done without delay.