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¶ … Birthmark
In his book, The Birthmark, Nathaniel Hawthorne explores the conflict of science and nature that exists deep in the human psyche. Hawthorne's seemingly simple story of Aylmer, Georgiana and Aminadab reveals much about Hawthorne's attitudes toward science and progress. In the telling of their story, he creates an effective allegory about the role of science in the modern world. Ultimately, Hawthorne's story warns the reader of placing science on a pedestal above more human concerns.
Georgiana's birthmark represents the fact that not everything within nature is perfect. It is a reminder that the beautiful and kind Georgiana is capable of death and sorrow that afflicts the human spirit. After their wedding, Aylmer becomes obsessed with the birthmark, and he finally convinces Georgiana that her birthmark is ugly and unsightly; instead of the charm she believed it was. In this sense, Aylmer abuses the power and credibility he has amassed as a scientist, and Georgiana ultimately, and erroneously, believes that...
Further, he goes about this work carelessly and arrogantly. Aylmer's arrogance and carelessness in removing the birthmark symbolizes the arrogance of science in tampering with nature.
Aylmer's lack of humanity and fundamental kindness is at the heart of the tragedy within the story. He is cold intellect and unemotional scientific investigation personified. In his attempts to get rid of Georgiana's birthmark, he is trying to destroy the imperfect in Georgiana, and within nature itself.
Ultimately, Aylmer's faith in his science is justified as his potion removes the birthmark, although the personal cost to him is high. As the birthmark is removed, Aylmer loses his deepest love in Georgiana, a part of his humanity, and ultimately his own spirit. His pride in the capabilities of science blinds him to the eventual and unavoidable consequence of Georgiana's…
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Birthmark. 27 November 2003. Available online at http://www.4literature.net/Nathaniel_Hawthorne/Birthmark
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