Symbolism In The Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne
Symbolism in “The Birthmark” In “The Birthmark” Nathaniel Hawthorne gives us a story that is telling us on some level to accept your own, as well as other people's imperfections or it could destroy not only your relationship with them, but also your relationship with yourself. In this story Hawthorne uses symbolism to show us exactly how this kind of behavior can lead to not just ruining relationships, but in this case even death. In “The Birthmark” Hawthorne uses a wide variety of objects and people such as a withering flower, a birthmark, poison, Aylmer's dream and Georgiana's death, and even a character named Aminidab to symbolize that nobody is in fact perfect and we all must accept each others flaws in order to have good and healthy relationships. The first and most important use of symbolism we receive is that of the birthmark. We learn that, “in the centre of Georgians's left cheek, there was a singular mark, deeply interwoven, as it were, with the texture and substance of her face” (205). Upon further reading Hawthorne tells us that, “Its shape bore not a little similarity to the human hand” (205). Georgiana had a birthmark right in the middle of her left cheek that resembled a tiny hand in which Aylmer thought was very imperfect. The birthmark symbolizes mortality or an imperfection of …show more content…
He provides the story with a character that identifies contrast between the others. He is Aylmer's assistant although we tend to get the impression that he may actually be smarter than Aylmer in a way. As he realizes that Aylmer has killed Georgiana, he begins to laugh. He believes that Aylmer has simply got what was coming to him. He warned him that she already is perfect and says, “If she were my wife, I'd never part with that birthmark”(208). He sees her as perfect as she already is. He sort of symbolizes how we should view others and find perfection in people's
Obsession In The Birthmark
278 Words | 2 PagesThe theme of a man’s obsession with striving for perfection is expressed in Hawthorne’s short story, “The Birthmark.” The protagonist of this work of literature is an incredibly talented scientist by the name of Aylmer who has recently married a remarkably attractive woman whose name is Georgiana. Despite being breathtakingly beautiful, Georgiana has a birthmark in the shape of a red hand on her left cheek, which disgusts Aylmer to a rather massive extent. An example of his unhealthy fixation upon Georgiana’s birthmark would be on the fourth page of this work of literature,“At all the seasons which should have been their happiest, he invariably and without intending it, nay, in spite of a purpose to the contrary, reverted to this one disastrous
What Is Aylmer's Desire For Perfection In The Birthmark
564 Words | 3 PagesAccording to the narrator, every living thing is flawed in some way, nature’s way of reminding us that every living thing eventually dies. Aylmer’s revulsion for his wife’s birthmark suggests the horror he feels at the prospect of death. He is a smart man, but his misinterpretation of the symbol on Georgiana’s face leads him astray. He mistakenly comes to believe that if he can root out this symbol of transience, it will mean that he has the power to prolong life indefinitely. Aylmer also mistakenly believes that the birthmark represents Georgiana’s moral decrepitude and spiritual flaws even though she isn’t a woman prone to sin at all.
Georgiana's Symbol In The Birth-Mark By Nathaniel Hawthorne
670 Words | 3 PagesAlymer’s perception of the symbolism of the birthmark is revealed right after Georgiana’s thoughts were given. “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 212). Aylmer thought that the birthmark symbolized the imperfection of earthly things. His view was elaborated on later in the story “selecting it as the symbol of his wife’s liability to sin, sorrow, decay, and death” (Hawthorne 213). In addition to Aylmer’s view of the birthmark as a mark of earthly imperfection, he also thought of it as a symbol for his wife’s inevitable fall from near perfection as she ages.
Obsession In Nathanial Hawthorne's The Birth-Mark
1165 Words | 5 PagesThese scholars’ arguments contribute to the story, “The Birth-Mark”, Nathanial Hawthorne expresses the common personal issue that individuals possess. The Birth-Mark was about a man named Aylmer and his obsession of science and the birth mark on his wife’s face. The birth
Perfection In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Birthmark
353 Words | 2 PagesWritten almost two centuries ago, “The Birthmark” is an early form of our present-day obsession with a flawless, perfect physical state. Our society has numerous ways of showing just how far they will go to show their passion for physical perfection. Like in “The Birthmark” our society makes physical changes through plastic surgeries because for one reason or another they are not happy with themselves. While most of the time people make their own decisions about changing their look, it was Aylmer who convicted Georgina to let him change her look.
Hawthorne's The Birth-Mark
1339 Words | 6 PagesPeople outside of the marriage find Georgiana’s mark to be a defining characteristic, perhaps even an essential part of her. Aminadab, Aylmer’s assistant, makes the remark “If she were my wife, I’d never part with that birth-mark” (216). In a sense, the symbolism through the shape of a hand humanizes and personifies her. It is the foreshadowing of the grip that the mark may or may not have had on her life, and her marriage. Considering this humanizing factor, without the mark, would she truly be herself?
Hawthorne The Birthmark Analysis
1139 Words | 5 PagesAs Georgiana reveals her true sentiments about her stigma, she states with a sense of pride, “To tell you the truth, it has been so often called a charm, that I was simple enough to imagine it might be so” (Hawthorne 378). In expressing this sense of pride, Georgiana exudes her initial happiness with her birthmark, as she rebuttals with Aylmer. Even in this moment, Hawthorne extracts the mission of Aylmer, as he says, “Until now he had not been aware of the tyrannizing influence acquired by one idea over his mind, and the lengths which he might find in his heart to go, for the sake of giving himself peace” (Hawthorne 380). This selfish statement, causes for readers to recognize that Aylmer was aware that it would be no simple task to convince his muse that it is necessary to change her indifference.
What Is Aylmer's Obsession In The Birthmark
900 Words | 4 PagesAlymer cares about Georgiana at the beginning of the story, but as the reader continues they can start to see resentment of Georgiana’s birthmark and makes Aylmer distant and care less for Georgiana as his wife. From a normal marriage to a scientist based relationship becomes more apparent when Aylmer notices Georgiana’s birthmark every day. Georgiana is shocked by how Aylmer is reacting to her birthmark. His obsession with getting rid of the birthmark is so deep, that Aylmer completely ignores the possible outcomes and the jeopardy of his wife’s life. At this point the reader can see that his obsession with science has become so deep that he cares less about what even his wife, has to say.
Controversial Themes In The Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne
1000 Words | 4 PagesThe 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
Examples Of Figurative Language In The Birthmark
590 Words | 3 PagesThe birthmark itself symbolizes morality. Aylmer, this brilliant scientist and husband to Georgiana, sees it has as fatal flaw. It also represents this imperfection of human nature. Nothing is perfect in nature, but science can help improve to make it seem flawless.
Arthur Dimmesdale's Marking Quotes
561 Words | 3 PagesEveryone comes across something in their life that speaks to them--a symbol as it will be called. In the book, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there are many symbols, but there is one that really stands out above the rest, and that is the mark on Dimmesdale’s chest. The Scarlet Letter’s primary focus is on the life of Hester Prynne, who had an affair with someone and was accused of the crime and forced to wear a scarlet letter A for the rest of her life. The mark on Arthur Dimmesdale’s chest (although it was never truly stated what the mark actually was) can be seen as guilt in physical form which slowly begins to show over time.
Compare And Contrast Rappaccini's Daughter And The Birthmark
743 Words | 3 PagesEqually Aylmer and Dr. Rappiccini, both characters in Hawthorne’s works causes destruction of human life with selfish aims to perfect the woman of their choice. In the case of Aylmer’s love interest in science, just as with the case of Beatrice’s father, blinds him to the true beauty and humanity of the woman before him. Aylmer views Georgiana’s birthmark as a symbol of imperfection and tries to remove it. At the end of the story, Georgiana say, "My poor Aylmer," she repeated, with a more than human tenderness, "you have aimed loftily; you have done nobly. Do not repent that with so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the earth could offer.
Characterization Of Human Imperfection In The Birthmark, By Nathaniel Hawthorne
170 Words | 1 PagesHawthorne’s characterization of Aylmer once again shows that he perceives scientists as determined and persistent in attaining perfection. The birthmark seems to startle Aylmer as he senses human imperfection. Since he is a symbol of the spiritual essence of nature, he wishes to cleanse Georgiana of the birthmark. When Aylmer shudders, he displays his disdain for the imperfection on his wife’s cheek. This causes Georgiana to faint as she is startled by Aylmer’s reaction to the birthmark.
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).
Tragedy In The Birthmark
1268 Words | 6 PagesIn “The Birthmark”, Georgiana was witnessed, eagerly drinking the potion made by her husband to rid her of the birthmark (Hawthorne 9). If Georgiana had been more assertive against the judgement of her husband she may have saved herself. This describes Georgiana’s last moments, “As the last crimson tint of the birthmark-- that sole token of human imperfection--faded from her cheek, the parting breath of the now perfect woman passed into the atmosphere…” (Hawthorne 10). Demonstration of each of their responsibilities is expressed.
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