A comparison of Hawthorne’s characterization in Rappacini’s Daughter and The Birthmark
Hawthorne’s two short stories The Birthmark and Rappacini’s Daughter bear many similarities to each other. In particular, many of the characters are analogous to one another within the framework of the stories. One specific example is the many similarities and parallels between the character of Beatrice in Rappacini’s Daughter and that of Georgiana in The Birthmark. Hawthorne creates both women as flat characters and uses vivid imagery and analogy to emphasize the aspect of their character he deems most important. Additionally, both women start out as innocent but lose this as they change dynamically to reflect the attitudes of the men who pursue them.
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Both characters change very dynamically over the course of the stories, eventually losing their innocence and are consumed by the same fervor as their lovers. As Aylmer becomes more and more obsessed with Georgiana’s birthmark, she too is consumed with the desire to have it removed, compelled by a misplaced love and trust in Aylmer (Resetaritis, 6). “While this hateful mark makes me the object of your horror and disgust,—life is a burden which I would fling down with joy. Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life!” (Hawthorne, The Birthmark 4). Georgiana is so devoted to Aylmer that she too becomes consumed with hatred for her birthmark. She comes to despise a feature that for so long had been admired, and it is in this hatred that she loses the innocence which had made her so beautiful in the eyes of the reader. It is when she loses her innocence that she allows Aylmer to lead her down the path that eventually results in her death. Beatrice also follows a similar path to her death. When she was growing up she more or less embraced her gift for it allowed her to care for the flowers. “’ Yes, my sister, my splendour, it shall be Beatrice's task to nurse and serve thee; and thou shalt reward her with thy kisses and perfumed breath’” (Hawthorne, Rappacini’s Daughter 5). However, when Giovanni accuses her of “poisoning” him, she experiences the pain of heartbreak. The doubt and suspicion which Giovanni has harbored towards her is what finally opens Beatrice’s eyes to the manipulation she has been subjected to (Burgauer, 3). It is when this occurs that she loses her innocence and sees something she has coexisted with for her entire life, much the same way Georgiana lived with her birthmark, as an evil that she must be rid of. Giovanni shows her the antidote and says “’Shall we not quaff it together, and thus be purified from evil?’" (Hawthorne,
Hawthorne’s two short stories The Birthmark and Rappacini’s Daughter bear many similarities to each other. In particular, many of the characters are analogous to one another within the framework of the stories. One specific example is the many similarities and parallels between the character of Beatrice in Rappacini’s Daughter and that of Georgiana in The Birthmark. Hawthorne creates both women as flat characters and uses vivid imagery and analogy to emphasize the aspect of their character he deems most important. Additionally, both women start out as innocent but lose this as they change dynamically to reflect the attitudes of the men who pursue them.
It …show more content…
Both characters change very dynamically over the course of the stories, eventually losing their innocence and are consumed by the same fervor as their lovers. As Aylmer becomes more and more obsessed with Georgiana’s birthmark, she too is consumed with the desire to have it removed, compelled by a misplaced love and trust in Aylmer (Resetaritis, 6). “While this hateful mark makes me the object of your horror and disgust,—life is a burden which I would fling down with joy. Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life!” (Hawthorne, The Birthmark 4). Georgiana is so devoted to Aylmer that she too becomes consumed with hatred for her birthmark. She comes to despise a feature that for so long had been admired, and it is in this hatred that she loses the innocence which had made her so beautiful in the eyes of the reader. It is when she loses her innocence that she allows Aylmer to lead her down the path that eventually results in her death. Beatrice also follows a similar path to her death. When she was growing up she more or less embraced her gift for it allowed her to care for the flowers. “’ Yes, my sister, my splendour, it shall be Beatrice's task to nurse and serve thee; and thou shalt reward her with thy kisses and perfumed breath’” (Hawthorne, Rappacini’s Daughter 5). However, when Giovanni accuses her of “poisoning” him, she experiences the pain of heartbreak. The doubt and suspicion which Giovanni has harbored towards her is what finally opens Beatrice’s eyes to the manipulation she has been subjected to (Burgauer, 3). It is when this occurs that she loses her innocence and sees something she has coexisted with for her entire life, much the same way Georgiana lived with her birthmark, as an evil that she must be rid of. Giovanni shows her the antidote and says “’Shall we not quaff it together, and thus be purified from evil?’" (Hawthorne,