Obsession In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Birthmark
Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, "The Birthmark," explores the themes of perfection, obsession, and human nature. The story follows a scientist, Aylmer, who becomes increasingly obsessed with removing the birthmark on his wife Georgiana's cheek. However, once he succeeds in removing it, the consequences of his actions become clear, and the theme of the story shifts. In the beginning, Aylmer's obsession with perfection is evident when he first sees Georgiana's birthmark. He sees it as a flaw and a sign of imperfection, stating, "If she were my wife, I'd never part with that birthmark." This quote reveals Aylmer's obsession with perfection, as he cannot tolerate anything that he deems to be imperfect. Aylmer's obsession grows as he becomes fixated on removing the birthmark, convinced that it is the key to achieving perfect beauty. He becomes increasingly consumed with the idea, saying, "This one defect was the visible mark of earthly imperfection." This quote highlights Aylmer's belief that perfection can only be achieved by removing all imperfections, no matter how small they may seem. …show more content…
Hawthorne writes, "The fatal hand had grappled with the mystery of life and was the bond by which an angelic spirit kept itself in union with a mortal frame." This quote reveals the consequences of Aylmer's obsession, as he has essentially removed the essence of Georgiana's humanity in his pursuit of
The Birthmark Analysis Essay
717 Words | 3 PagesHe uses this technique to guide the readers to understand the theme of how Aylmer inability to accept imperfection in the story and how it leads the loss of Georgiana. One of Hawthorne’s example of foreshadowing is when he says,” … he might have felt his affection heightened by the prettiness of his mimic hand, now vaguely portrayed, now lost, now stealing forth again and glimmering to and fro with every pulse of emotion that throbbed within her heart; but, seeing her otherwise so perfect, he found his one defect grow more and more intolerable with every moment of their united lives” (341). Hawthorne uses foreshadowing to emphasize how strongly uncomfortable Aylmer feels about Georgiana birthmark and what actions Aylmer is will to do to remove her birthmark. He cannot accept the fact that loving Georgiana results in loving and accepting her flaws, which he cannot do as well. He also, subtly gives the readers ideas of what is or could possibly happen later in the story in result of Aylmer’s ideals on
Examples Of Tragic Flaws In The Birthmark
998 Words | 4 PagesHe focuses on how wonderful and triumphant he will be once he has created the first perfect human being that he seemingly forgets that there is a great deal of danger and even the risk of death in removing Georgiana’s birthmark. Aylmer voices this prideful desire in the story, saying “‘I feel myself fully competent to render this dear cheek as faultless as its fellow; and then, most beloved, what will be my triumph when I shall have corrected what Nature left imperfect in her fairest work! Even Pygmalion, when his sculptured woman assumed life, felt not greater ecstasy than mine will be’” (Hawthorne 3). In this quote we see that he has no doubt about performing the surgery, and hints that he even looks forward to performing it so that his wife may become perfect.
Obsession In Nathanial Hawthorne's The Birth-Mark
1165 Words | 5 PagesWhich leads him to the point of using science to remove the birth mark. Aylmer’s obsession of removing the birth mark led to the death of his wife, Georgina. Hawthorne uses Aylmer to present a common issue that individuals have. Furthermore, each scholar help better understand the theme of obsession and achieving a goal that leads individuals to a path of negativity because of individuals’ foolishness to achieve perfection, science vs naturality, and mental isolation.
Examples Of Tragic Flaws In The Birthmark
1079 Words | 5 PagesAylmer’s tragic flaw was that he seeked perfection in every aspect of his life and if a part of his life was not perfect, he had to change or fix it. Aylmer, not long after marrying Georgiana, began to complain about the birthmark that laid on her left cheek. While everyone else in the community thought of Georgiana’s birthmark as beautiful, Aylmer thought the birthmark was a “symbol of imperfection” (Hawthorne 2). Aylmer is determined to make his wife perfect by removing her birthmark. He later tells her that he has found a solution that would take the mark off of her cheek.
Similarities Between Hawthorne And The Birthmark
871 Words | 4 PagesGeorgiana took note of Aylmer’s displeasure of the birthmark from the dream and through his stealthy stare, causing Georgina displeasure (Nathaniel Hawthorne 114). Aylmer’s further loathing of the birthmark, causes Georgiana to give up for the sake of his happiness. She tells, Aylmer after bringing up the conversation of the birthmark, “Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life!” (Nathaniel Hawthorne 114). Aylmer could have avoided tragedy, however he failed to listen to his assistant Aminadab, who stated he would “never part with that birthmark” (Nathaniel Hawthorne 114).
Obsession In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Birthmark
941 Words | 4 PagesThe focus on “what could be” instead of “what really is” ruined Aylmer and it’s what ruins so many people in today’s culture. In The Birthmark as Georgina is dying it’s said that Aylmer’s assistant Aminadab, is chuckling but Hawthorne gives no reason as to why. Perhaps Aminadab sees the ridiculous and silliness of what Aylmer was trying to accomplish and can’t help himself from laughing. Maybe Aminadab sees the idiocy of trying to play against nature and is laughing because it took Aylmer so long to figure it
Examples Of Foreshadowing In The Birthmark
1059 Words | 5 PagesIt is first seen when Georgiana asks Aylmer to describe his dream. Aylmer explains the dream as himself attempting to operate on the birthmark; however, to his dismay, the birthmark went deeper until it seemed to have “caught hold of Georgiana's heart.” In spite of the danger in the situation, he was still determined to eliminate the dreaded mark at all costs. Aylmer’s dream implies that he is willing to risk the life of his wife in order to achieve perfection. Hawthorne’s next use of foreshadowing is seen in his description of the boudoir.
Examples Of Figurative Language In The Birthmark
590 Words | 3 PagesHawthorne uses imagery sense of smell to get readers to imagine the scene, “When Georgiana recovered consciousness she found herself breathing an atmosphere of penetrating fragrance, the gentle potency of which had recalled her from her deathlike faintness” (Hawthorne). “The Birthmark” also creates irony with “Aminadab, the less inferior man to Aylmer is the one who speaks sensible to Aylmer by disclaiming that if Georgiana was his wife, he would not try to remove the birthmark” (“The Birthmark”). The figurative language helps enhance the story. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s meaning for the story was a man’s strive to perfection only caused the death of his wife. Aylmer was too focused on what perfect could be, and Georgiana blindly agrees with him and decides to remove the birthmark, despite never having a problem with it.
The Birthmark Thesis
1369 Words | 6 PagesArgumentative Essay: Final Draft - Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Birthmark" is a short story that explores the dangers of obsession with perfection and the cost of valuing physical beauty over inner qualities. The story follows the relationship between Aylmer and Georgiana, as Aylmer becomes increasingly fixated on removing a small birthmark from Georgiana's cheek, leading to tragic consequences. In the story, Aylmer's obsession with perfection and his attempt to remove Georgiana's birthmark symbolizes the destructive effects of a patriarchal society's unrealistic expectations of women's physical beauty, ultimately highlighting the dangers of valuing external appearances over inner qualities, as well as the emotional toll that these standards have on women. Aylmer''s perfectionism basically is also
How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Allusions In The Birthmark
1392 Words | 6 PagesShe is beautiful even if others see her birthmark as a flaw. The men, excluding her husband, saw her as the most gorgeous girl they have ever seen, never viewing the birthmark as a flaw. The other women were jealous of her and the attention she got from other men so they deemed her birthmark as an imperfection calling it “the bloody hand.” Before Aylmer mentioned the story of Pygmalion he condemned the women that spoke of Georgiana in this way and he said “But it would be as reasonable to say that one of those small blue stains which sometimes occur in the purest statuary marble would convert the Eve of Powers to a monster” (Hawthorne 1321). He is implying that God created Georgiana with the image of Eve and because she was tainted by sin, Georgiana had to be created with this birthmark.
How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Irony In The Birthmark
949 Words | 4 PagesIn proving its effectiveness, the readers believe the elixir will work, however, the readers quickly learn this is not true. Ironically, the one thing that Aylmer believes can make Georgiana perfect is the one thing that kills her. All in all, Hawthorne’s use of irony enhanced his story and made for a more exciting and unpredictable ending. Just as irony is used to do this, symbolism is another key literary device used within Hawthorne's
Georgiana's Unhealthy Relationship In The Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne
791 Words | 4 PagesWhen Aylmer and Georgiana got married, Georgiana was taken from her mothers home, making her complete dependent on Aylmer and his opinions. In addition to this, Aylmer’s belief hat he is better than God, and has the ability to remove Georgiana’s birthmark, creates inequality in their relationship. Finally, due to Georgiana’s obsession with what Aylmer thinks of her, paired with Aylmer's rude looks and comments, leads her to do something
Symbolism In 'The Birthmark' By Nathaniel Hawthorne
700 Words | 3 PagesHe literally wants to rid her of her one unattractive flaw and symbolically wants to rid her of any inner flaw. Hawthorne invites the reader to come to this understanding especially after Georgianna dies because it shows that she cannot live without her flaws just as humans cannot live without flaws because every human has
The Theme Of Pride In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Birthmark
2223 Words | 9 PagesHe tells her, “...you came so nearly perfect from the hand of Nature, that this slightest possible defect... shocks me, as being the visible mark of earthly imperfection.” (Hawthorne, 1843) He has the idea that his wife should be perfect, and this idea is so strong for him that even the sight of her birthmark makes him shudder.
Theme Of Perfection In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Birthmark
416 Words | 2 PagesAylmer is consumed with a pursuit of perfection in his scientific studies and also in nature. The leads to Aylmer being appalled at the blemish on his wife Georgiana’s cheek. He tells Georgiana “you came so nearly perfect from the hand of Nature, that this slightest possible defect..shocks me, as being the visible mark of earthly imperfection” (216). This is the catalyst for Aylmer's seeking for perfection in his wife who is a natural being. Aylmer recognizes that there is a “fatal flaw of humanity, which Nature...stamps ineffaceable on all her productions” (216).
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