Analysis of the Introduction in The Birthmark Essay

In The Birthmark from Nathaniel Hawthornes Tales, Hawthorne confuses the reader by introducing the story in a wordy and overwhelming manner. The introduction leaves the reader confused and wondering why an author would begin a story this way. The first part of the introduction basically uses an unnecessary amount of vocabulary to tell us a little background; there is a scientist who loves his work and managed to marry a beautiful young woman. The latter part of the introduction is practically indecipherable, leaving the reader confused. Surprisingly, what lies in this jumble of words actually maps out exactly what happens in the story.

Hawthornes introduction feels more like a conclusion; it is only decipherable after the rest of the story has been read. He reveals his messages without us knowing, introducing the story, but not giving it away. He does all of this in the last five sentences of the introduction:

In those days when the comparatively recent discovery of electricity and other kindred mysteries of Nature seemed to open paths into the region of miracle, it was not unusual for the love of science to rival the love of woman in its depth and absorbing energy. The higher intellect, the imagination, the spirit, and even the heart might all find their congenial aliment in pursuits which, as some of their ardent votaries believed, would ascend from one step of powerful intelligence to another, until the philosopher should lay his hand on the secret of creative force and perhaps make new worlds for himself. We know not whether Aylmer possessed this degree of faith in mans ultimate control over Nature. He had devoted himself, however, too unreservedly to scientific studies ever to weaned from them by any second passion. His love for his young wife might prove the stronger of the two; but it could only be by intertwining itself with his love of science, and uniting the strength of the latter to his own (Hawthorne 1).

If this selection is taken line by line, it can be dissected to reveal much more than expected.

Each line of this selection has a direct idea, with a little part of the story woven in. In the first line of the quote, Hawthorne states that this story takes place around the time when electricity was discovered, and science was a big field. He also states that some scientists took their work so seriously that it was hard to say whether they had more love for science or their wives. This part of the introduction could also be applied as an explanation to other parts of the story; science was a very respected field, and that may explain how Alymer managed to get Georgiana, his beautiful wife who could have married practically anyone. It also sets us up for what to expect from Alymer as far as he treats his wife, and why she might deal with it. Hawthorne is telling us there is a competition between two different kinds of love right from the start, and at this point is just a question of which one will win.

This idea is further explored in the second line where it is revealed that some intensely devoted scientists believed that they could overcome that of all other scientists and ultimately control nature. This line reveals how serious scientists took their work, and enforces the idea that these scientists have an obsession so great that it is literally their life, and their love of their relationship with science may overcome that of others. With this belief of creative force, and the opportunity to create new worlds, Hawthorne reveals the ultimate battle in the story; Aylmer thinks he can overcome death and he is willing to risk anything with the belief that he is going to be the one to do it. His experiment to remove the birthmark on Georgianas face is just one of his stepping stones on his way to defeating nature.

In the next line, Hawthorne once again talks about this belief of dominating nature, and questions whether Aylmer is a man who believes in this. Hawthorne goes on to explain how Aylmer is obsessed with science and there is nothing that could distract him from this love. This is basically telling us that Aylmer loves science more than he does his wife, if nothing can take him away from it, it must be the most important element of his life. This seems absurd, but it explains how Aylmer gets obsessed with wanting to remove the birthmark from his wife. Aylmers main focus in his desire to remove Georgianas birthmark is more the satisfaction of knowing he has the scientific capability rather that wanting his wife to look better. The removal of this birthmark is just a challenge for Aylmer in his quest to overcome nature.

The last line of the introduction tries to give us hope that Aylmers love for Georgiana could be stronger than his love of science, but explains that this could only be possible if the two were connected. Hawthorne reveals so much behind this one statement. It explains how he becomes so obsessed with this birthmark. He intertwines Georgiana into his love, by making her a science experiment. The whole story turns into a question of how far Aylmer would take this experiment, and the experiment itself was ultimately a battle between his two loves. In the end, he kills Georgiana over a science obsession, and finally answers our question; Aylmers love for science was greater than that of his wife.

When first reading the introduction to The Birthmark, it is frustrating to read and all the meanings hidden behind the words arent easily noticed. It was interesting how the author chose to leave us in such a fit of confusion, which could only really be relieved by rereading the introduction after the story is finished. I think this introduction showed us that this wasnt just a story with no meaning, but there was real thoughts behind it, waiting to be uncovered.