“The Birth-Mark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a short story that carries an important moral. In the story, Aylmer sets out to achieve perfection. He does not consider the consequences of his actions due to the fact that he is too overtaken by reaching ultimate, physical perfection. He is obsessed with his wife’s external appearance to the extent that a small birthmark, considered beautiful by many, deeply bothers him. He wishes to remove it because he believes that it spoils her otherwise perfect beauty. Perfection is a true mystery. Different people have different definitions for it. Everyone has his or her own personal idea of what it is. In Aylmer’s case, his idea of it negatively affects him and his wife.
What is true perfection? How can …show more content…
She takes a nap. When she wakes, she delivers unfortunate news to her husband that she is dying. His reaction is one that proves he does not truly love her. “’My poor Aylmer!’ murmured she. ‘Poor? Nay, richest, happiest, most favored!’ exclaimed he. ‘My peerless bride, it is successful! You are perfect!’ ‘Aylmer, dearest Aylmer, I am dying!’” (301).
It is clear to readers that Georgiana loves her husband. She sacrificed her life to please him. However, Aylmer does not seem to love her. He thinks he does, but his preoccupation with the little blemish that embraces her cheek serves as proof of his false love. If he genuinely loved her he would adore and appreciate everything about her, especially her charming birthmark.
Moreover, when Georgiana agrees to undergo the process of removing a small but evident part of her, her birthmark, Aylmer disregards his her feelings. He inconsiderately asks her to remove it. He offers all of his attention to perfecting her beauty instead of appreciating and perfecting their relationship. Aylmer forgets about the importance of catering to Georgiana’s emotions. He disrespects the beauty of mortality. In the end, he breaks her both emotionally and …show more content…
He ended up losing the most important person in his life, his caring, considerate, loving companion. His idea of perfection was a trap that ended up imprisoning him behind its dark, devastating bars of ruin; perfection became fatal.
Aylmer’s actions serve as a moral lesson to readers that one’s ambition to gain ultimate perfection can be catastrophic. Although Aylmer is a man of knowledge, he is ignorant to the truth of perfection. He puts his wife’s life at risk, and ends up losing her because he is so caught up in the idea of plain, boringly perfect beauty; one with no faults.
Chasing after perfection by working against nature can be a hazard. Aylmer proves that merely fixating on achieving perfection, and trying to enhance or alter nature can lead to misfortune. People must understand that perfection is intangible; therefore, it cannot be created. Attempting to create or achieve perfection is useless. It is a waste of time and a waste of that which is pure, beautiful, unique, and natural. It is a waste of things that are perfect in their own, unique
What is true perfection? How can …show more content…
She takes a nap. When she wakes, she delivers unfortunate news to her husband that she is dying. His reaction is one that proves he does not truly love her. “’My poor Aylmer!’ murmured she. ‘Poor? Nay, richest, happiest, most favored!’ exclaimed he. ‘My peerless bride, it is successful! You are perfect!’ ‘Aylmer, dearest Aylmer, I am dying!’” (301).
It is clear to readers that Georgiana loves her husband. She sacrificed her life to please him. However, Aylmer does not seem to love her. He thinks he does, but his preoccupation with the little blemish that embraces her cheek serves as proof of his false love. If he genuinely loved her he would adore and appreciate everything about her, especially her charming birthmark.
Moreover, when Georgiana agrees to undergo the process of removing a small but evident part of her, her birthmark, Aylmer disregards his her feelings. He inconsiderately asks her to remove it. He offers all of his attention to perfecting her beauty instead of appreciating and perfecting their relationship. Aylmer forgets about the importance of catering to Georgiana’s emotions. He disrespects the beauty of mortality. In the end, he breaks her both emotionally and …show more content…
He ended up losing the most important person in his life, his caring, considerate, loving companion. His idea of perfection was a trap that ended up imprisoning him behind its dark, devastating bars of ruin; perfection became fatal.
Aylmer’s actions serve as a moral lesson to readers that one’s ambition to gain ultimate perfection can be catastrophic. Although Aylmer is a man of knowledge, he is ignorant to the truth of perfection. He puts his wife’s life at risk, and ends up losing her because he is so caught up in the idea of plain, boringly perfect beauty; one with no faults.
Chasing after perfection by working against nature can be a hazard. Aylmer proves that merely fixating on achieving perfection, and trying to enhance or alter nature can lead to misfortune. People must understand that perfection is intangible; therefore, it cannot be created. Attempting to create or achieve perfection is useless. It is a waste of time and a waste of that which is pure, beautiful, unique, and natural. It is a waste of things that are perfect in their own, unique