The “Birthmark”, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is an allegory, like many other short stories and novels Hawthorne has wrote. The short story’s allegorical meanings are acquired from Hawthorne’s use of symbolism. In the “Birthmark”, Hawthorne uses the characters, foreshadowing, and symbolism to display the message or theme of obsession with perfection and imperfection, confliction with science and nature, and dabbling with fate. According to the text, The Norton Introduction to Literature, it’s believed that Hawthorne wrote “The Birthmark” because he was, “burdened by a deep sense of guilt for his family’s role in the notorious Salem witch trials over a century before he was born (one ancestor was a judge)” and that “Hawthorne used fiction
…show more content…
In several occurrences, Aylmer is depicted as a god-like, divine figure while Aminadab is the complete opposite, envisioned as an earthly being that is imperfect with a “bulky frame” and “indescribable earthiness (Hawthorne 343).” In an article in the New York Times, John Miller reinforces the image of Aminadab’s appearance by stating, “Aylmer’s lab assistant—a dirty, hairy and bulky man who resembles the Igor-like stock character from a hundred horror movies (Miller).” In the story Aylmer also considers himself a deity comparing himself to the famous Pygmalion, who made a statue of a woman so beautiful that he fell in love with it, by stating, “Even Pygmalion, when his sculptured woman assumed life, felt no greater ecstasy than mine will be (Hawthorne 342).” Aylmer truly thinks he can go beyond science and make his wife, Georgiana, more beautiful than she already is by removing the birthmark without fear of the consequences. Aylmer’s ego brings him to tell his wife with confidence regarding the removal, “doubt not my power. I have already given this the deepest thought (Hawthorne 342).” Aminadab, however, feels the complete opposite about the birthmark and that became apparent when he says to Aylmer, “if she were my wife, I’d never part with that birthmark (Hawthorne 343).” John Miller reinforces the contrast between the characters by stating Aminadab “possesses a moral sensibility that his boss …show more content…
It is one thing to explore science but also another to play with god. All of the symbols in “The Birthmark” state no matter how perfect someone or something is, there will always be an imperfection that even science can’t correct without consequences. Hawthorne’s ability to create a story with such conflictions through the use of symbolism is fascinating. Everything from the mark on an otherwise beautiful woman, to the heavenly boudoir and the morbid lab, and onto the god-like character of Aylmer to his brutish assistant, Aminadab, all depict symbols about earth and heaven, and that man cannot get in the way of fate even through
In several occurrences, Aylmer is depicted as a god-like, divine figure while Aminadab is the complete opposite, envisioned as an earthly being that is imperfect with a “bulky frame” and “indescribable earthiness (Hawthorne 343).” In an article in the New York Times, John Miller reinforces the image of Aminadab’s appearance by stating, “Aylmer’s lab assistant—a dirty, hairy and bulky man who resembles the Igor-like stock character from a hundred horror movies (Miller).” In the story Aylmer also considers himself a deity comparing himself to the famous Pygmalion, who made a statue of a woman so beautiful that he fell in love with it, by stating, “Even Pygmalion, when his sculptured woman assumed life, felt no greater ecstasy than mine will be (Hawthorne 342).” Aylmer truly thinks he can go beyond science and make his wife, Georgiana, more beautiful than she already is by removing the birthmark without fear of the consequences. Aylmer’s ego brings him to tell his wife with confidence regarding the removal, “doubt not my power. I have already given this the deepest thought (Hawthorne 342).” Aminadab, however, feels the complete opposite about the birthmark and that became apparent when he says to Aylmer, “if she were my wife, I’d never part with that birthmark (Hawthorne 343).” John Miller reinforces the contrast between the characters by stating Aminadab “possesses a moral sensibility that his boss …show more content…
It is one thing to explore science but also another to play with god. All of the symbols in “The Birthmark” state no matter how perfect someone or something is, there will always be an imperfection that even science can’t correct without consequences. Hawthorne’s ability to create a story with such conflictions through the use of symbolism is fascinating. Everything from the mark on an otherwise beautiful woman, to the heavenly boudoir and the morbid lab, and onto the god-like character of Aylmer to his brutish assistant, Aminadab, all depict symbols about earth and heaven, and that man cannot get in the way of fate even through