...ENG 02303-03 8 Feb 2012 Short Story Essay In The Birthmark, Aylmer, who is a well- known scientist, marries Georgiana who at birth received a birthmark on her left cheek that looked like a small handprint. After being married Aylmer for some time he did not like the birthmark that was on her cheek and asked if she ever wanted it removed. She too decided that since her husband did not like the birthmark and she did not want to be a disgrace to her husband that she would have the birthmark removed. He then took her to his lab and he got to work on something that was going to get the birthmark to go away. Georgiana said over and over that if he could not get rid of it then she did not want to live. He finally came in with a cure. He tested it on the plant that had blotches on its leaves. The flower began to grow and the blotches disappeared. Georgiana then decided to take the potion. She fell asleep and her husband sat by waiting. After a while the birthmark then disappeared and with his excitement he woke his wife. They were both excited that the birthmark had disappeared but shortly after Georgiana had passed away. Knowing that he husband did not like her with her birthmark and her feeling like a disgrace to her husband she agreed to allow her husband to get rid of the birthmark, before she had no issue with her birthmark. Her husband was only worried about what was on the inside, and by getting rid of the birthmark he was messing with God’s design especially when she trusted...
Words: 1035 - Pages: 5
...Student’s name: Professor’s name: Course title: Date: Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Birthmark Literature is more than a description of a single life story; its aim is to work universally. In this sense, symbolism of any text is a link that unites the factual and metaphoric plans. So, Hawthorne’s symbolism in Birthmark is his way to tell the readers more than he actually says by writing a science fiction story. The character trying to remove his wife’s birthmark is an example of human obsession with perfection, which makes the modern world sick. Yet, imperfection is the sign of being alive, so it is impossible to reach perfection without dying. Besides, the characters of Aylmer and Georgiana are symbols, too, and embody science and nature, respectively. Finally, the symbolism of the story reveals the issue of repressed and sick femininity. Speaking of symbolism, it is quite natural that it is Georgiana’s birthmark that is the core symbol. Aylmer is a successful scientist whose discoveries border on the supernatural. He seems to be quite happy with his beautiful wife, yet it suddenly strikes him that her birthmark is a spot that tars her beauty. As a researcher and alchemist, he is obsessed with achieving the maximum result, and it is true that artificially created objects can be flawless unlike living people. However, he is so deepened into the realm of science and technology, that he sees his whole life through that lens, and is unable to appreciate nature as it is...
Words: 1258 - Pages: 6
...“The Birthmark”, by Nathaniel Hawthorne While reading “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne it reminded me of how society is today. Our society has many ways of manifesting its obsession with physical perfection. In our society people go to extreme lengths to achieve perfection. Even though “The Birthmark” was written more than a century ago it’s an early version of our modern obsession with physical perfection. Society manifests its obsession with physical perfection by having surgical procedures done on a daily basis. In “The Birthmark” Georgiana was born with this birthmark in the shape of her hand on her cheek and her husband is really bothered by the birthmark. After discussing the birthmark Georgina decides to have the birthmark removed. In my opinion this story is about how a man fails when he tries to play god and his failure to understand that perfection is attainable. It also deals with man’s failure to realize that it is our imperfections, not our perfections, which makes us unique. I found myself disliking this story very much. Why couldn’t Aylmer just accept his wife as is, why couldn’t he just realize that she was perfect just the way she was? In trying to “perfect” Georgiana, Aylmer is testing God’s creation. He doesn’t believe that how God created Georgiana is perfect, and he is obsessive about making her his idea of perfection. This story is a perfect example of how society is today and of our obsession with physical perfection is. Even today, people try...
Words: 476 - Pages: 2
...The Unattainability of Perfection: A Critical Analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark” Perfection is one of the most sought-after qualities in society. People are willing to shell out large sums of money for dieting plans, training regimens, and plastic surgery – all in an attempt to be perfect, whether that means having a slim waist, a defined core, or a more attractive nose. However, nobody is flawless. Even if an individual alters their physical appearance to what they believe to be “perfect,” they will nonetheless have other, non-physical faults that will limit their ability to attain perfection. Nathaniel Hawthorne, a 19th century American writer, expressed his feelings about the attainability of perfection in his fiction. In particular, in "The Birthmark," Hawthorne uses the birthmark as a symbol, the characterization of Georgiana, and the foreshadowing of Georgiana's death to promote the unrealistic nature of perfection; Hawthorne highlights the impracticality of flawlessness so that society, in general, will stop going to great lengths trying to achieve the unachievable and, instead, spend their collective time more productively. To begin with, to endorse the improbability of perfection, Hawthorne establishes Georgiana’s birthmark as a symbol of earthly imperfection. For instance, the birthmark is described as being “the fatal flaw of humanity which Nature […] stamps ineffaceably on all her productions, either to imply that they are temporary and finite,...
Words: 881 - Pages: 4
...Research Paper “The Birthmark” focuses on our desire to conquer science to achieve perfection. Science is “a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.” (Dictionary.com) Perfection is “a quality, trait, or feature of the highest degree of excellence. In such a technologically advanced world, science must exist in order to achieve perfection. In psychology, self consciousness and the pursuit of happiness drives people to be “perfect”. Modern media plays a big role by setting high social standards that impose on modern day society. “Women’s magazines are full of articles urging that if they can just lose those last twenty pounds, they’ll have it all—the perfect marriage, loving children, great sex, and a rewarding career.” (Beauty and Body1) The media exemplify celebrities as perfect role models, portraying to the public that everyone in society should look a certain way. “Usually we strive toward being perfect to compensate for a sense of inadequacy.” (Schwartz 1) “In our culture we move relentlessly toward greater emphasis on achievement and goal orientation.” (Schwartz 1) In society our appearance and achievement are judged by our peers and coworkers. The fear of being ostracized leads to self-consciousness and a sense of inadequacy creating a need for personal change. Through observation people have learned that in some cases changing their appearance help them in their pursuit...
Words: 575 - Pages: 3
...“ The Birthmark “ The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne is about a man who is a perfectionist and a women whos birthmark he see’s as her imperfection, which puts their relationship in a downward slope. Hes so focused on her imperfection that shes scared hes starting not to love her and she realizes she cant change the mark yet she fallows Aylmers ideas leading to her death. The Birthmark proves that a person cannot change who they are. This is shown through Aylmers focus on perfection. Aylmer is so focused on perfection it is making their relation ship not as strong, its putting them on a down hill slope. On page 3 the quote “ Dearest Gorgiana I have spent much thought upon the subject “ shows the reader how perfection is his main focus. Alymers so focused on Gorgiana’s imperfection that he’s not seeing his true love for her which is putting their relationship in a down hill slope. In gorgianas case I think her feelings on her birthmark are that she knows its their and she doesn’t really like it but she’s living with it, if he loves her he shouldn’t be just focused on that, so she might be thinking twice about how he is and that could be effecting their relationship with one another. Gorgiana’s fear of Aylmer losing love for her, because of this imperfection, is growing worse because she knows she cannot change it. “ Pray do not look at it again. I never can forget that convulsive Shudder. “ She knows the mark is ugly and wants him to have nothing to...
Words: 488 - Pages: 2
...Throughout the short story “The Birthmark”, symbolism is expressed through the usage of theme and imagery. The author Nathaniel Hawthorne addresses that everyone has some kind of flaw, and how that flaw specifically defines that person as him or her. The most significant example of symbolism within the story is the small red birthmark in the center of Georgiana’s cheek. This birthmark is the icon of human imperfection, but the birthmark can also lead to the downfall of the most scholarly people. The most iconic symbol through the story is the birthmark. The birthmark is the most important symbol in the short story because it symbolizes many different details. Hawthorne provides a good description of the birthmark, as "in the centre of Georgiana's left cheek there was a singular mark, deeply interwoven, as it were, with the texture and substance of her face”( ). The quotation suggests that the birthmark is deeply entwined within...
Words: 721 - Pages: 3
...Would you take the chance to become perfect if it meant it may cost you your life? “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne explores this concept and the divide between science and nature. The main character of “The Birthmark” has a perfect wife but can only focus on her one flaw, a small and handshaped scar on her cheek. In an attemp to remove it and thereby make her perfect, he ends up killing her. This concept displays the Romantic notion that it is dangerous to believe that science can perfect nature. This warning is still valid today with recent technilogical advances and ideals on perfection. Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark” is still realivant because of different ways of trying to perfect ourselves and change world around us. To begin, “The...
Words: 551 - Pages: 3
...“The philosopher should lay his hand on the secret of creative force and perhaps make new worlds for himself.” (Hawthorne 1) Romantic literature was a new idea of writing, revolting against the classical era. While the classicists were reasonable and conservative, the romantics’ interests were in the supernatural and nature. Nathaniel Hawthorn, an early American romantic, wrote many short stories with this idealism, such as “The Birthmark.” His writing focused on man attempting to sate his desire, supernatural elements, and the uncontrollable power of nature. Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark” is, to this day, a strong example of romanticism. One of the major characteristics of romanticism is the satisfaction of desire. Georgiana, the wife of Aylmer,...
Words: 435 - Pages: 2
...The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and The Birth-mark by Nathaniel Hawthorne have two characters with many similarities. The character in The Birthmark is not the main character in the story, but plays an important role is Georgiana. Georgiana is a beautiful women except for the hideous birthmark on her face hence the name of the story The Birthmark. The character in The Yellow Wallpaper is the narrator, whose name we were never given. These two women have such a similar story, but are both so different at the same time. Georgiana and the narrator, women with almost identical stories, were different by minor discrepancies that changed the enter course of their stories. The women in The Yellow Wallpaper and The Birth-mark have...
Words: 1519 - Pages: 7
...My day started out early. It was January 3rd, 2013. I woke up around 8:00 because I had a doctor’s appointment. The appointment was for me to have a birthmark removed. I wasn’t really scared, more excited because I hated my birthmark. When I got there the doctor, he had me put on a weird vest so that he wouldn’t get anything such as blood on my clothes. He gave me multiple shots just below my shoulder where my birthmark was. He left the room while it got numb. 10 minutes later, he came back. He said that he would cut a 3 inch long, 1 inch wide piece of skin off and stitch it closed. When he cut it off I couldn’t feel it, but I felt the pressure. The worst part was stitching it shut. It felt like the numbness was wearing off because it hurt....
Words: 1140 - Pages: 5
...The quote spoken by C. Joybell unquestionably applies to Aylmer and his obsession over the birthmark as his fixation on the ¨crimson hand¨ causes him to ¨lose [his] way¨ throughout the story. While Aylmer, an extremely wise and intelligent scientist, was struggling to formulate a plan that would successfully remove the fatal flaw from his wife Georgianna´s cheek, he repeatedly ¨lost sight of [himself]¨ (C.Joybell). For instance, when Aylmer is beginning to lose faith in his abilities to obliterate the birthmark, he begins to yell at Georgianna as an attempt to suppress any questions that might come his way. However, he immediately tried to reassure her by saying ¨O, do not tremble, my love¨ (p.17). Despite Aylmer´s strong push to bolster Georgianna´s...
Words: 287 - Pages: 2
...The Birthmark Nathanial Hawthorne does an excellent job of incorporating the human struggle for perfection in his short story, The Birthmark. Georgiana was a beautiful woman, “almost perfect”, as her husband told her repeatedly; however on her cheek was a small birthmark. While many men found this birthmark to be charming, her husband was repulsed by the small facial marking. “Ah, upon another face perhaps it might,” replied her husband; “but never on yours. 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, 1843, p1) Georgiana’s husband, Aylmer, began to obsess about this and actually would visibly shudder at the sight of her birthmark. This slowly but surely managed to break down Georgiana’s confidence to the point where she could not even look at herself in the mirror! Aylmer’s quest for human perfection resulted in Georgiana agreeing to have several scientific experiments performed on her in order to rid her of the birthmark. “Danger is nothing to me; for life, while this hateful mark makes me the object of your horror and disgust, -- life is a burden which I would fling down with joy. Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life!” (Hawthorne, 1843, p2) Georgiana’s life has become all about this small mark on her face. It no longer mattered what kind of person...
Words: 563 - Pages: 3
...“The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne reveals a story of love on the edge of ending due to outward appearances. Georgina’s birthmark is considered a mark of imperfection to her husband, Aylmer. She could choose to embrace the birthmark or please her husband and exterminate it with his scientific knowledge. This story displays how even the little imperfections of outward appearances can affect a person. Overall, the story conveys an image of beauty, imperfection, science, and love. Nathaniel Hawthorne gives an image in this story that beauty goes much deeper than outside appearances. Beauty is not just outward appearances rather it is inward appearances. One of the main focuses in the story is that Aylmer believes Georgina’s birthmark is “a significance of imperfection”, and insists that she would be perfect without it(Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark”: Science and Romance). Aylmer has the mindset that Georgina would be perfect without it, but he does not realize that no one can be perfect until they pass away. Due to the significance of the birthmark, it becomes hard for him to continue to love Georgina because he only allows himself to focus on outward appearances. However, inward appearances are the key to what one should focus on....
Words: 482 - Pages: 2
...The birth-mark on Georgiana’s cheek in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, The Birth-Mark, was a characteristic of hers that she adored. Her husband had considered perfect until after they got married and her and her husband got intimate. He saw her birthmark as an imperfection and wanted to make her the perfect woman that she could be without her birthmark. Although, he did not know that removing her birthmark would have unpleasant consequences. This birthmark that Georgiana possessed was a charm to her, but for her husband, Aylmer, it was a shock (4-5). He believed that his wife was perfect, but that birthmark made it impossible for him to think about anything else except removing it to make her perfect. Aylmer describes the hand as “its...
Words: 466 - Pages: 2
