Symbolism In Nathanial Hawthorne's 'The Birth-Mark'
An English proverb once wrote “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Nathanial Hawthorne’s “The Birth-Mark” tells the tale of Aylmer’s never ending pursuit to be the perfect scientist, and to have the perfect wife. This pursuit involved the goal of freeing his wife, Georgiana, of this blemish on her cheek, despite how many people found it to be endearing. “The Birth-Mark” suggests through symbolism and character that tragedies can occur if the strive for perfection is too encompassing. Characteristics of people are often categorized as a blemish, or a beauty. When regarding the birthmark on Georgiana’s cheek, the decision is split. The birthmark reflects the shape of a “fairy” hand (213). In a sense, this symbolism through shape humanizes and personifies her, and is the foreshadowing of the grip that the mark may or may not have had on her life. Without the mark, would she be truly herself? In Aylmer’s opinion, the mark
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This suggests that he views it as devaluing, or as marring her figure. He perceives it as a defect, and thus not of her “nearly perfect” self (212). On the contrary, the relationship dynamics are blurred when it becomes evident that people 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). This statement brings to light the idea that maybe Georgiana’s well-being is not on the forefront of Aylmer’s agenda, and we begin to see how the blemish gives insight to Aylmer’s character. The strive for success is an entirely admirable trait,
This suggests that he views it as devaluing, or as marring her figure. He perceives it as a defect, and thus not of her “nearly perfect” self (212). On the contrary, the relationship dynamics are blurred when it becomes evident that people 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). This statement brings to light the idea that maybe Georgiana’s well-being is not on the forefront of Aylmer’s agenda, and we begin to see how the blemish gives insight to Aylmer’s character. The strive for success is an entirely admirable trait,