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Controversial Themes In The Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Nathaniel Hawthorne was a renowned author during the early 1800s. Hawthorne was known for his exceptional skills in writing short stories and novels. Some of his famous works are The Scarlet Letter and The Birthmark. He was a descendant of one of the Salem Witch Trials judge that made Hawthorne despise the actions done by his ancestor. This influenced his writing as he writes controversial themes and is described to be a Dark Romantic novelist. The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne deals with morality, unable to control or fight against nature, and patriarchy.

Mostly everyone has multiple flaws but society looks down upon them just like Aylmer could not stand the birthmark in Georgina’s face. Georgina is described as one of the most …show more content…

Georgiana, who is very much content with the way she looks was convinced by Aylmer to do an experiment on her face despite it being unsafe and dangerous. In the line, “He had devoted himself, however, too unreservedly to scientific studies ever to be weaned from them by any second passion,”(Hathorne) Aylmer’s true feelings about Georgiana only being second to science. To Georgiana, loving and taking care of him is her top priority and her fear of losing her husband’s love and her desires to please everyone around her caused her own life. Georgiana exclaims, “‘Shocks you, my husband!" cried Georgiana, deeply hurt; at first reddening with momentary anger, but then bursting into tears. "Then why did you take me from my mother's side? You cannot love what shocks you (Hawthorne)!" In this statement, Georgiana reveals her discontent and anger towards her husband who does not show his appreciation for marrying such a beauty. Georgiana says, “"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!" (Hathorne). Georgiana would rather die and have the mark remove than her husband look at her in disgust. The one-sided relationship brought her

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