The Birthmark Essay

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, and internal ones within Georgiana between love and self-interest and

“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

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

destroy his ability to perceive nature’s beauty. In this text, Georgiana and her birthmark represent nature, and culture is represented by Aylmer. Culture has taught men to question the flaws of women that they once found intriguing, therefore Aylmer is challenging nature when he tries to remove it. Aylmer is so wrapped up in this culture that he treats Georgiana as property. Her opinion about the removal of the birthmark was of little concern to him. Therefore, culture asserts that it is not only a

gaining self confidence without being absorbed in our looks. The conflict between the real and ideal incorporates consuming dreams about how I could better myself inside and out in my current life which ties together the book To Be Seen, and The Birthmark in failing to achieve internal and external goals. To Be Seen, by David Pring-Mill is a short story about the outside appearance of others, and how they affect everyday lives. Main character, Abby, tries to “pass off her self-consciousness as some

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

causing radiation and threatening environmental damage. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Birthmark” emphasizes the dangers of unregulated science, as

In Nathaniel Hawthorn’s short story “The Birthmark,” Alymer and Georgiana, which could have been a sweet love story turns into a frightening experience. Alymer becomes obsessed with removing a small birthmark on Georgiana’s cheek. He insisted that it is the only think that keeps her from being beautiful. Alymer is a scientist and believes he can fix anything and is sure he can create a potion to fix her. Georgiana becomes upset by the comments made by her husband, because her previous boyfriends

Angel of a Woman in “The Birthmark”              Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, “The Birthmark,” contains a wonderful example of the perfect wife. This essay will develop that theme.   In the opening paragraph of “The Birthmark” the narrator introduces Aylmer as a scientist who “had made experience of a spiritual affinity more attractive than any chemical one.” Hawthorne’s description of the scientist’s love for Georgiana is apt, for love is just that – spiritual. And the theme

The Fate of Women in “The Birthmark”                Wilson Sullivan in “Nathaniel Hawthorne” in New England Men of Letters states that Nathaniel Hawthorne’s tale, “The Birthmark,” depicts the efforts “of a deranged scientist to obtain total perfection” in  his wife by removal of a facial blemish. In this story the scientist operates on the superficial level of the physical world, while the woman, the truly heroic woman, functions on the level of the heart and soul, the more significant level

Woman Protagonist in “The Birthmark”             In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, “The Birthmark,” the reader finds an excellent example of a woman who is so superior to her male counterpart that she has to be labeled the protagonist of the tale. This essay will demonstrate why this designation is deserved by the female character, Georgiana.   In the opening paragraph of “The Birthmark” the narrator introduces Aylmer as a scientist whose love for Georgiana is “more attractive

“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

“The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ideas and themes still reflect today’s society even though it was written in the mid 1800s. During this time period people thought that science could take them anywhere. He based the story in a century before the time he was in. Everything is steadily changing today, just as it was in the 19th century. Except the things changing are very different. We have technology that changes every single day for example. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ideas including life, beauty

stories, plays, and poems. All of which have to do with love someway and somehow. I’m choosing to compare “The Birthmark”, “Othello”, and La Belle Dame San Merci”. Each of these all have something in common which is their treatment of obsessive love. In the Gothic Romanticism short story of “the Birthmark” Alymer has an obsession that is stronger than his obsession with Georgians birthmark. This is his obsessive love with science. Though he has had scientific experiments that were not successful it

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