Theme Of Romanticism In Nathaniel Hawthorne's Birthmark

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Birthmark exhibits many examples of Romanticism in numerous ways. In particular, the characters depict the elements of Romanticism extremely well. Two aspects of Romanticism are the importance of imagination and strong emotions. In Birthmark, the wife displays these traits through her actions. The wife comes to imagine a future in which she does not have to have the “hideous” birthmark on her face anymore and submits herself to her husband’s experimentation. Although the wife felt that the birthmark was fine on her face, her imagination got the best of her and she went along with her husband’s crazy plan. Another reason she may have went along with her husbands plan would be her strong love for him. In the beginning of the story the wife is brought to tears when her husband comments on the birthmark: “Deeply hurt; at first reddening with momentary anger, but then bursting into tears.” (399) However, as the story progresses she sees what pain the birthmark brings to her husband and feels like she should not make him live his life with it: “Let the attempt be made at whatever risk. Dander is nothing to me; for life, while this hateful mark makes …show more content…
Romantics were often obsessed with nature and Hawthorne used Aminadab as one way to display nature in the Birthmark. From the first time the reader learns of Aminadab his association with nature reveals itself: “He [Aminadab] seemed to represent man’s physical nature” (402). Aminadab was a strong and physically fit man which can relate to the romantics emphasize on the nature and the common man. In addition, because Aminadab is Aylmer’s assistant, he further depicts elements of romanticism. Romanitics heavily featured science in their works and Aminadab helps to illustrate the importance of science in the Birthmark by being Aylmer’s assistant and helping him to make his