Concept of Perfection in The Birthmark

What really is perfection? Is perfection attainable and at what cost? In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story of “The Birthmark,” he uses symbolism to convey the effect of Georgina’s birthmark and imperfection. He also uses imagery, foreshadowing, and point of view to show what is going to happen.

The narrator begins the story by giving a brief summarization. It takes place in the eighteenth century. This was an era when science was known for discoveries and opportunities (365). Additionally, Hawthorne introduces a man named Aylmer who is declared to be “a man of science, an eminent proficient in every branch of natural philosophy” (365).

He later falls in love with a gorgeous woman named Georgina. Aylmer starts to get obsessed over Georgina's birthmark imperfection, leading him to use his love for science to fix his lovely wife. This led to a tragic ending of “The Birthmark”.

The story starts off with the character asking a question to his spouse Georgina. He ask her “.

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..has it never occurred to you that the mark upon your cheek might be removed?” (366). Georgina says “no” (366). It could be assumed that she says no because she considered the mark to represent charm. The reason is the mark upon Georgiana's cheek has been “often called a charm by people” (366). On the contrary, Georgina’s husband believes that the mark upon her cheek does not symbolize a charm. He considers that the mark on her cheek is an “earthly imperfection, horror, and trouble “(366). This illustrates one of the reasons of why Aylmer brings up the question about the mark.

The narrator uses imagery by describing the mark. It could be assumed that he sees the birthmark on Georgiana's cheek as a distinct deep red mark of a hand upon her cheek. The mark is described in the text as “...deep interwoven mark [with] a tint [and] a tiny [mark of a] hand upon [her] cheek “(366).

In the next part of the story it tells two different views of how people see Georgina mark. The first group views the mark as admirable. The second group sees the mark as disgust. While it's considered Aylmer is leaning towards the second one. The reason he is obsessing over this one flaw of imperfection is because the mark makes her beauty not perfect. It also does not magnify his wife’s beauty in any way or form. The story talks about the obsession of the mark that is gnawing at him and creating a dilemma in his relationship. Aylmer is also adding more meaning to that mark on her face. He reveals his point of view of the mark by stating “...this one defect grow more and more intolerable with every moment of their lives. It as the symbol of his wife’s liability to sin, sorrow, decay, death…. and causing him more horror and trouble” (367).

In the story it gives in sight of how Georgina feels. Georgina begins to believe that the mark on her face does not signify a charm but a burden. She thinks this because he asks her a question about removing the mark. He starts to insult her and defines what the mark really symbolizes. He also looks at her differently and has a terrible dream about her. In throughout the story she changes her and this is where she comes to a realization that the mark is causing a problem. In another part of the story she tries to hide her face and this is where he tries to compliment her. She then says “o, spare me! Pray not look at it again. I never can forget that compulsive shutter” (370). Since she thinks the mark is a burden she says, 'remove it; remove it, whatever be the cost” (368). This is where I believe the husband obsession is put his priority first that leads her to change. The changes I see are how she view herself and belittle herself.

In the next scene in the story the character talks about removing the mark. This is where the narrator brings in foreshadowing in the conversation that something critical is going to happen. The character start talks about finding a solution. Georgina says, “… at whatever risk, the danger is nothing, and either remove this dreadful hand or take my wretched life” (368).