The Birthmark
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote "The Birthmark" in the mid 1800's when society was dominated by Puritan beliefs. He was born in Massachusetts in 1804 and many of his writings reflect his Puritan upbringing. In "The Birthmark", Hawthorne tells a story of an eminent professor whose love for science could never be equaled by anything else on God's earth. Aylmer's belief that science is more powerful than nature is what causes his downfall and the death of one of natures most beautiful creations. "In those days when the comparatively recent discovery of electricity and other kindred mysteries of nature seemed to open paths into the region of miracle, it was not unusual for the love of science to rival the love of woman in its depth and absorbing energy."(p.203) Aylmer's obsession with science becomes intertwined with his obsession for that minute imperfection on Georgiana's beautiful face. As time passed he found that this tiny crimson birthmark grew more and more unbearable and to move on with his life with Georgiana, something had to be done to erase natures mark. Hawthorne utilizes the reddish color crimson to describe that "fatal
Aylmer's obsession to remove the birthmark even seems outlandish to his under worker Aminadab. Hawthorne's characterization of Aminadab is very unique. He is described as "man's physical nature" which is the complete opposite of Aylmer. Hawthorne uses very distinct words to describe Aminadab as a product of nature, and maybe one some cannot see. If Aminadab is written backwards with an added l, it spells "bad animal". This is not a mistake. Hawthorne uses Aminadab as a representation of nature, and although Aylmer only sees him as a servant or animal, Aminadab realizes the peripheral nature of this task. "If she were my wife, I'd never part with that birthmark."(p.209) Aminadab, being a figure of nature, appreciates the natural beauty of Georgiana. This contrast between Aminadab and Aylmer is Hawthorne's way showing the difference between nature and science. Hawthorne is rivaled by scientists that try to challenge nature and God; and there is very clear parallel involving this contrast in "Rappacini's Daughter", another of Hawthorne's short stories. flaw of humanity", and uses it to contradict the "deathlike paleness" of Aylmer. This imagery repeats itself throughout the story showing the difference between the scientific Aylmer and the incredibly natural Georgiana. It is not that Aylmer does not love his wife, it is certain that he does, but his passion for science grows as brightly as the birthmark itself. One o
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Approximate Word count = 966
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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