Imperfections in The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay

Imperfections in The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne Too often in this world does man attempt to perfect nature. Tampering with this sort of element most commonly leads to a disaster to come extent. Because man is never satisfied, he is constantly vying for perfection, regardless of the outcome. Such is the case in Nathaniel Hawthornes short story, The Birthmark. Aylmers persistent attempt to perfect nature is the cause of Georgianas demise and the affirmation that when man tampers with such a powerful component terrible things may occur. In this short story, Hawthorne uses symbolism to emphasize the strange shape of the earthly imperfection (204) and his desperate need to change it. The shape of the birthmark bore a†¦show more content†¦He simply continues on his way to perfect nature?s imperfections. Aside from Hawthorne?s use of symbolism, his extensive use of imagery also contributes to the notion that man cannot perfect nature. Aylmer?s true goal in this story is to force Georgiana to believe that her birthmark is ?a symbol of [her] liability to sin, sorrow, decay, and death? (204) and she must rid herself of it. He creates this image in order to brainwash her into believing that it is a ?dreadful hand? (207), and she, too, should wish it away. Finally, after gazing at, and studying the birthmark, this horrible image in which Aylmer had implanted in the mind of his lovely wife has become all too unbearable. Georgiana, feeling unworthy of her husband, freely surrenders herself to Aylmer and his science. ?Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life,? (207) she tells him, while rationalizing the validity of science on such a thing. Another image Hawthorne makes use of, in order to potentially change the mind of Georgiana, is that of the geranium, once diseased with yellow spots of death, is now full of life. The diseased flower symbolizes, in the eyes of Aylmer, a diseased Georgiana. Another tool that Hawthorne brings into use in ?The Birthmark? in order to show difference between the two characters is conflict. Throughout this short story, both Georgiana and Aylmer are atShow MoreRelatedThe Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay1399 Words   |  6 PagesThe Birthmark Criticism Analysis The short story â€Å"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 fightingRead MoreThe Puritan Effect1703 Words   |  7 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne is respected as â€Å"one of the great masters of American Fiction† (â€Å"Hawthorne, Nathaniel† 363). 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In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Birthmark,† it appears that Aylmer the main character wants to show the world that perfection is not beauty, and he demonstrates this with his wife Georgiana and that science should not alter the way that nature set man on this world to be. Hawthorne was a major asset to theRead MoreThe Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay743 Words   |  3 PagesThe Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne In Nathaniel Hawthornes short story The Birthmark, there are many views on the need for science and its advances. Hawthornes 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 Mother Nature. The story shows how Aylmers passion leadsRead MoreThe Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne1493 Words   |  6 PagesRomantic period authors, like Nathaniel Hawthorne, a prevalent example of a Romantic author from the 19th century, believed that people were getting too reliant on on science. Romantics were literary rebels who wrote about strong emotions, the supernatural, and the power of nature. The writing style of the previous century was known as the Age of Reason, the authors thought emotion was unnecessary; they loved science and wrote a lot of non-fiction. The romantics wanted t o remind people that thereRead MoreJonathan Edwards And Nathaniel Hawthorne1294 Words   |  6 Pagesnot be feared by anyone. Famous Puritan authors Jonathan Edwards and Nathaniel Hawthorne in their works give the same impression as Dali, they both believe that the strive for perfection is both unrealistic and unattainable. 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The short story â€Å"The Birthmark† by Nathanie l Hawthorn, illustrates this teaching through the character of Aylmer, an ambitious and devoted scientist who is appalled by his wife Georgiana’s birthmark, believing it to be a perceivable sign of her human flaws and eagerly waits toRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne The Birthmark Symbolism1229 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The Birthmark† by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story about a man’s obsession with trying to create perfection. Aylmer is married to a beautiful woman named Georgiana who just happens to have a birthmark on her face that is in the shape of a tiny hand. Aylmer is a scientist that is striving to create perfection through science. He believes that he is able to alter what Nature has already created. The birthmark that he once had not noticed suddenly is seen as an imperfection and he slowly becomes obsessed

The Theory Of Cognitive Psychology - 947 Words

As the circuit board of a computer, data streams through the channels of the mind at lightning-fast speed. However, what happens when you lose this essential function? Once lost, a person could immediately understand the absolute need for it. The need to understand how information is stored and recalled was thought not so widely followed through until the concept of cognitive psychology came along. Cognitive Psychology is broadly known as the study to understand the deep complexity of processing and recalling information which can determine our behaviors and feelings. There are three main focuses which contribute to the study of cognitive psychology. The first is a memory which can be looked at as the storage of information, both immediately and stored throughout a given length of time. Of course, a well-working memory can help or hinder someone which causes it to be studied in cognitive psychology frequently. The second area focused on this particular system is perception. P erception plays a vital role in how we as individuals view and interpret the environment around us, and combine with the values and beliefs on why we are interpreting this information in a particular way. Learning is the last of the three areas and most exciting when an individual develops the idea or path to adapt to what is being presented change direction. (Careers In Psychology, n.d.) The study of learning within the confines of cognitive psychology brings us to a psychologist who broughtShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Cognitive Psychology928 Words   |  4 Pagesprocesses, memory and communication. This new direction received the name of cognitive psychology. One of the pioneers, who established this path in psychology science, was Swiss biologist, Jean Piaget. Piaget’s discoveries and principles have made a significant contribution in expansion of cognitive psychology ideas. 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Physician Assisted Suicide Argumentative Essay Example For Students

Physician Assisted Suicide Argumentative Essay Im about to take up a position which is going to be deamed by some,if not all, as a terrible stand to take. As a matter of fact, if anyone wereto agree with me on ths subject, Id be surprsed. For you see, rather thanarguing from the postion of suicide being an unjustified and inane way todie, I shall argue the other point. That being suicide does have its merits. Before you people start screaming, hear my case out. Most peopleargue that nothing justifies the taking of someones life. Yet what makeslife so valuable? Why do people cling to it so? All we consist of is a bunchof carbon atoms, bound together to form an exoskeleton, organs, and tissue. In this light, there really is not much to life. Out of the 5 billion whoinhabit the planet, very few of them shall emerge to be true world leaders. The rest will just lead a mediocre life of work and little play. The taking of ones life can be argued from a populistic view as well. It makes little sense to preserve life in an over populated world. True, oneless person here on there will not make a large dent. Yet if everyone whoattempts or had attempted suicide were not stopped, the impact would benoticed. Another popular argument for stoppers, people who want to preventsuicide, is that nothing can be bad enough. Yet how do they know this? Theydo not have to put up with the same stuff the suicide victim does everyday. How could they possibly know what the potential suicide victim feels. Justas a severely burned victim may wish to be allowed to die in peace, thesuicide victim wishes the same. To die in peace with no argument fromothers. The argument of look at the people you will hurt also does nothold. Imidiate family members will be the only ones to suffer any great pain. Friends will go on with thier lives and in time forget about the death. Imidiate family too will forget the loss in time. Although it will take mostconsiderably longer for them than it will for friends. Finaly, the argument of suicide being selfish is hard to grasp. Selfish in whose eyes? Certainly not the eyes of the victim. To them, theyconsider it selfish of others to try and preserve their life. Again, theargument of the stoppers dont know what the victim has to go through. Theyare not the ones enduring the pain. Religious people also crop up into the debate. Catholics claim thatfor someone to committ suicide sneds their soul straight to Hell. In manyreligions, suicide is considered taboo. However why is this so? Why should itbe looked upon as disgracefull, when some religions claim death the be thereward for people after their time on earth is done. Suicide is an issue which should be examined at by all angles. Notjust from the angle that it is wrong. End of debate. Rather it should belooked at from the point of view that yes for some people, they should beallowed to die in peace.