Nathaniel Hawthorne and Dark Romanticism Nathaniel Hawthorne, being a Dark Romantic, writes about the darker sides of human nature. He is not afraid to expose the side not frequently seen by the public. Nathaniel Hawthorne explores the human psyche of narcissism, leading to the revelation of nature's superiority over science in "The Birthmark". He also utilizes the human psyche of guilt and fear which, in The Scarlet Letter, leads to self-destruction. Vanity can cause oneself to believe they are able to do anything. In "The Birthmark", Aylmer faces the problem of removing Georgiana, his wife's, "imperfection". Aylmer, "during his toilsome youth, ... made discoveries in the elemental powers of Nature that had roused the admiration of all
…show more content…
Dimmesdale, from The Scarlet Letter, committed adultery with Hester and is keeping it a secret. Hester bears the shame and burden on her shoulders alone because Dimmesdale is too much of a coward to admit his sin. On multiple occasions, Dimmesdale went up the pulpit to say "-I, your pastor, whom you so reverence and trust, am utterly a pollution and a lie!" (Hawthorne 119). He also, while "thinking of his grave, ... questioned himself whether the grass would ever grown on it, because and accursed thing must there be buried!" (Hawthorne 119). The guilt of not committing his crimes and having Hester experience the judging eyes of the townspeople, makes Dimmesdale censure himself. A metaphor is used to emphasize how terrible and corrupt he is. Throughout the novel, the pastor is often described as "[putting] his hand over his heart" (100). It shows how emotional pain is affecting him physically. As the story goes on, "the health of Mr. Dimmesdale had evidently begun to fail" (99). The guilt for abandoning Hester and the fear that the townspeople will find out his secret has begun to take its toll on Dimmesdale's health. Previously in good condition, "his form grew emaciated; his voice, though still rich and sweet, had a certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it; he was often observe, on any slight alarm or other sudden accident, to put his hand over his heart, with first a flush and then a …show more content…
"The Birthmark" shows how narcissism has bad outcomes and science will never win over nature. His exploration of the darker sides of human nature teaches to keep emotions in check and within boundaries. If one is not cautious, it could lead to unfortunate events and
Dimmesdale, from The Scarlet Letter, committed adultery with Hester and is keeping it a secret. Hester bears the shame and burden on her shoulders alone because Dimmesdale is too much of a coward to admit his sin. On multiple occasions, Dimmesdale went up the pulpit to say "-I, your pastor, whom you so reverence and trust, am utterly a pollution and a lie!" (Hawthorne 119). He also, while "thinking of his grave, ... questioned himself whether the grass would ever grown on it, because and accursed thing must there be buried!" (Hawthorne 119). The guilt of not committing his crimes and having Hester experience the judging eyes of the townspeople, makes Dimmesdale censure himself. A metaphor is used to emphasize how terrible and corrupt he is. Throughout the novel, the pastor is often described as "[putting] his hand over his heart" (100). It shows how emotional pain is affecting him physically. As the story goes on, "the health of Mr. Dimmesdale had evidently begun to fail" (99). The guilt for abandoning Hester and the fear that the townspeople will find out his secret has begun to take its toll on Dimmesdale's health. Previously in good condition, "his form grew emaciated; his voice, though still rich and sweet, had a certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it; he was often observe, on any slight alarm or other sudden accident, to put his hand over his heart, with first a flush and then a …show more content…
"The Birthmark" shows how narcissism has bad outcomes and science will never win over nature. His exploration of the darker sides of human nature teaches to keep emotions in check and within boundaries. If one is not cautious, it could lead to unfortunate events and