The Birthmark

A detailed Summary of The Birthmark


In Nathaniel Hawthorne's, The Birthmark, Aylmer, a man devoted entirely to his science, marries Georgiana, a beautiful young woman with a single "earthly imperfection." This imperfection bears the resemblance of a tiny "crimson hand" and is clearly visible on the left cheek of Georgiana. The birthmark itself is both a symbol for the downfall of society through science and technology and the impending death that is to come for Georgiana. The birthmark becomes the object of Aylmer's obsession and he resolves to use all his scientific knowledge to correct "what Nature left imperfect in her fairest work." Through The Birthmark, Hawthorne suggests that this quest for perfection is a scientific trait, and the death of Georgiana and her birthmark warns of the consequences when science claims too much power; the power to control and alter nature.

Relying solely upon science and logic, Aylmer lacks rationale or morality. Being a man of science, Aylmer renders Georgiana's birthmark "a


Hawthorne reveals through the unfortunate outcome of Aylmer's experiment that science cannot and should not interfere with what God naturally bestows upon humankind. If Aylmer had been able to weigh knowledge and morality, Georgiana's life would not have come to such an abrupt end. Hence, the death of Georgiana serves as a warning to those who seek perfection and are greedy for power. One must understand that there are boundaries and moral responsibilities when dealing with nature and humankind and if those boundaries are broken, one should be willing to accept the consequences.

s a symbol of his wife's liability to sin, sorrow, decay, and death." As a result, he views his wife as imperfect and becomes obsessed with this superficial imperfection. Aylmer's obsession becomes self-created, and in turn becomes emotionally and physically damaging for Georgiana's well being. In the early years of her marriage, Georgiana had been content with her physical appearance and actually took delight in her unique

Some common words found in the essay are:
Birthmark Hawthorne, Birthmark Aylmer, georgiana birthmark, death georgiana, quest perfection, death georgiana birthmark, science aylmer, birthmark removed, birthmark symbol, aylmer's obsession,

Approximate Word count = 679
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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