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). He is an accomplished author who wrote novels as well as children’s literature. However, Hawthorne’s strength is American short story; his â€Å"haunting† tales are undeniably responsible for establishing this genre as a â€Å"significant art form† (â€Å"Nathaniel Hawthorne† Col umbia 1). He is known for his â€Å"penetrating explorations† of the conflicts within one’s conscience and the consequences thatRead MoreThe Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne1185 Words   |  5 PagesAli Qutab Honor American Literature â€Å"The Birthmark† : Essay #4 December 30th, 2015 The Effect of Nature on the Scientific Ego of Aylmer Throughout, â€Å"The Birthmarkâ€Å", by Nathaniel Hawthorne, symbolism and imagery are used to show that Aylmer s attempt to perfect something natural is the cause of Georgiana s death and that when man manipulates something as powerful as Nature, terrible things can occur. Aylmer is a scientist whose strives for perfection and is blinded by his love for science, resultingRead MoreEssay about The Birthmark1138 Words   |  5 PagesLove and Science A Story of Love and Science nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;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 NewRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Birthmark1476 Words   |  6 Pageseager to repair natural imperfections that may exist using science, rather than seeing these imperfections as beautiful natural occurrences, which will eventually lead to the destruction of nature. 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. In regard to the unattainably of perfection Hawthorne and Edwards’ opinions differ greatly, Edwards believes that even though perfection is unrealistic, one can and should still strive for it, while Hawthorne on the other hand believes that because perfection will never be reachedRead MoreHuman Imperfection Illustrated in Hawthornes The Birthmark Essay888 Words   |  4 Pagesmistakes that one makes in quotidian life, it is impossible to deny that human imperfection exists. To try to manipulate humans into perfection is not only impossible, but it takes away the very essence of being a human being. 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