¶ … striving perfection. MUST To err is human. Although somewhat of a cliche, the aforementioned aphorism, like most aphorisms, contains a great deal of truth. Humanity is rooted in fundamental flaws whether they are of body, mind, or perhaps even of spirit. This notion is explored in detail in masterful raconteur Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "The Birthmark." There is an innate striving of perfection on the part of a couple in this tale -- and particularly on the part of the husband. In hoping to gain an earthly view of perfection, however, the pair encounter more than a few surprises along the way. There are several elements within this tale -- its characterization, plot, and theme -- which strongly imply that Hawthorne is denoting his opinion about some of the fundamental principles of human nature. Ultimately, however, the conclusion of this tale and an examination of the diction throughout indicate the simple notion that mankind is flawed, and to expect anything else from it is a flaw in and of itself.

The basic premise of this story is that there is a scientist named Aylmer who is one of the most learned and accomplished men in his field. Contrary to his nature -- which is largely entrenched within the pursuit of scientific research -- he marries an extremely beautiful and desirable woman named Georgiana. Georgiana's beauty is impeccable save for one 'love mark', a sanguine birthmark on her cheek which comes to increasingly agitate her husband and disturb their relationship. Aylmer develops an almost foolish fascination with this birthmark so much that his wife develops a similar preoccupation with it and is would rather die than go on living with it. Aylmer believes that it is within his earthly power to remove the birthmark, and that in doing so he can create a vision of total perfection in his wife. However, after a lengthy period of experimentation he is able to remove the birthmark -- whereupon which Georgiana...

At the conclusion of the story, Aylmer believes he is at the moment of his greatest triumph. After laboring long and hard over the potions that will rid his wife of her birthmark, he has finally administered it to her. Moreover, the potion appears to work and is in the process of vanishing the birthmark from her face. However, a close analysis of the diction in what is actually the final moments of Georgiana's life reveals the fallacy of such an attempt on the part of Aylmer. In her final words, Georgiana says,
"My poor Aylmer!" murmured she. "Poor? Nay, richest, happiest, most favored!" exclaimed he. "My peerless bride, it is successful! You are perfect!" "My poor Aylmer, she repeated, with a more than human tenderness, you have aimed loftily; you have done nobly. Do not repent that with so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the earth could offer…I am dying!"

This passage proves that perfection is not possible within mankind. Even with her birthmark, Georgiana states that she is the "best" that humankind can create in terms of physical beauty. She also proclaims that Aylmer was dissatisfied with the perfect imperfection of her beauty. However, the most revealing part about this passage is that in eliminating Georgiana's birthmark, and thereby rendering her without flaw, Aylmer has only succeeded in killing her. The implication of this fact is that there are no perfect people, and that in creating one who is physically "perfect" as Aylmer boasts, Georgiana dies to reinforce the notion that there can be no imperfect people.

The basis for Hawthorne's premise that perfection is not possible within people (which is why Georgiana dies once she is made physically perfect) has to do with…