Birthmark in His Book, the Birthmark, Nathaniel

¶ … 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 Aylmer has "sway over the spiritual world" (Hawthorne).

In removing Georgiana's birthmark, Aylmer is essentially seeking to change what nature gave Georgiana. 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 death from the potion. Thus, Hawthorne uses Aylmer's ultimate loss to warn the reader that a blind dependence and pride in science will ultimately damage our very souls, and the seat of our humanity.

Unlike Aylmer, Aminadab remains continually aware of the human aspect of science. He would never attempt to remove Georgiana's birthmark, and understands the need to subjugate Aylmer's cold intellect and unfailing belief in science with more human concerns. Aminadab becomes a symbol for the body in the story, and he must ultimately respect what the intellect, Aylmer, requires of him.

Aylmer's single-minded desire to complete his experiment causes him to ignore much that exists outside the experiment. For example, he fails to consider how killing the flower will hurt his wife. Georgiana's fears that there may be unforeseen consequences to the removal of the birthmark is brushed aside, and Aylmer replies, "Dearest Georgiana, I have spent much thought upon the subject,... I am convinced of the perfect practicability of its removal." In this way, Hawthorne demonstrates how a single-minded approach to science can blind people to the unforeseen consequences of relying only on the belief in science.