What is perfection? What is the point of trying to achieve it if it cannot be done on Earth? The short story, “The Birthmark” is an excellent example of a corrupt attempt at perfection. In “The Birthmark” Hawthorne uses symbolism and foreshadowing to demonstrate his conclusion that perfection is not achievable in the mortal world.
Hawthorne applies numerous, straightforward examples of symbolism to validate his conclusion that perfection is not fully sustainable in the duration of life. The birthmark placed upon Georgiana’s cheek symbolizes her mortality. He describes it as, “the ineludible gripe in which mortality clutches the highest and purest of earthly mould” (Hawthorne 418). This birthmark is the only thing keeping her from reaching perfection. …show more content…
Aylmer’s dream foreshadows Hawthorne’s somber ending to “The Birthmark”. His knife’s, “tiny grasp appeared to have caught hold of Georgiana’s heart”. In which he was, “resolved to cut or wrench it away.” (Hawthorne 419). The dream forewarns him to go no further with his plan of reaching perfection. If the birthmark be removed, Georgiana will surely die. But, hypnotized by the idea, he continues, “for the sake of giving himself peace.” (Hawthorne 419). Secondly, the odd usage of sleep also foreshadows Georgiana’s untimely end. Hawthorn talks of a, “Sleep” that startles, “this actual life with secrets that perchance belong to a deeper one” (Hawthorne 419). The odd capitalization of sleep speaks of the deeper, more permanent Sleep, death. This “Sleep” frightens Aylmer with secrets beyond his knowing that warn of a deeper consequence for his plans with Georgiana. Hawthorne writes that truth is, “muffled in ropes of sleep”, and talks of, “matters in regard to which we practice an unconscious self-deception during our waking moments.” (Hawthorne 419). Aylmer, decepted by this sleep, believed he was doing what was right in the name of science. Hence, causing him to continue with his plans and “cure” Georgiana of her imperfection. Lastly, Georgiana’s talk of death foreshadows the failure of Aylmer’s so called, “elixir of immortality” (Hawthorne 422). Georgiana claims that, “life is a burden”, and exclaims to Aylmer, “Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life!” (Hawthorne 419). She speaks of wanting to die if she does not reach his idea of perfection. She wishes to, “put off this birthmark of mortality”, even if it meant, “relinquishing mortality itself” (Hawthorne 425). Little did she know that his idea is going to do just that. Her cries of wanting death and giving Aylmer what he desires, thusly, foreshadows the end to Aylmer’s, “most precious
Hawthorne applies numerous, straightforward examples of symbolism to validate his conclusion that perfection is not fully sustainable in the duration of life. The birthmark placed upon Georgiana’s cheek symbolizes her mortality. He describes it as, “the ineludible gripe in which mortality clutches the highest and purest of earthly mould” (Hawthorne 418). This birthmark is the only thing keeping her from reaching perfection. …show more content…
Aylmer’s dream foreshadows Hawthorne’s somber ending to “The Birthmark”. His knife’s, “tiny grasp appeared to have caught hold of Georgiana’s heart”. In which he was, “resolved to cut or wrench it away.” (Hawthorne 419). The dream forewarns him to go no further with his plan of reaching perfection. If the birthmark be removed, Georgiana will surely die. But, hypnotized by the idea, he continues, “for the sake of giving himself peace.” (Hawthorne 419). Secondly, the odd usage of sleep also foreshadows Georgiana’s untimely end. Hawthorn talks of a, “Sleep” that startles, “this actual life with secrets that perchance belong to a deeper one” (Hawthorne 419). The odd capitalization of sleep speaks of the deeper, more permanent Sleep, death. This “Sleep” frightens Aylmer with secrets beyond his knowing that warn of a deeper consequence for his plans with Georgiana. Hawthorne writes that truth is, “muffled in ropes of sleep”, and talks of, “matters in regard to which we practice an unconscious self-deception during our waking moments.” (Hawthorne 419). Aylmer, decepted by this sleep, believed he was doing what was right in the name of science. Hence, causing him to continue with his plans and “cure” Georgiana of her imperfection. Lastly, Georgiana’s talk of death foreshadows the failure of Aylmer’s so called, “elixir of immortality” (Hawthorne 422). Georgiana claims that, “life is a burden”, and exclaims to Aylmer, “Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life!” (Hawthorne 419). She speaks of wanting to die if she does not reach his idea of perfection. She wishes to, “put off this birthmark of mortality”, even if it meant, “relinquishing mortality itself” (Hawthorne 425). Little did she know that his idea is going to do just that. Her cries of wanting death and giving Aylmer what he desires, thusly, foreshadows the end to Aylmer’s, “most precious