Imperfection of The Birth-Mark
In Nathaniel Hawthornes short story The Birth-Mark Hawthorne uses symbolism to portrait earthly imperfection. In this short story there are many examples of imperfection but Aminadab, Aylmer and the birthmark itself are the major examples of imperfection in The Birth-Mark.
Aminadab is Aylmers assistant and Hawthorne describes him with his vast strength, his shaggy hair, his smoky aspect, and the indescribable earthiness that incrusted him (Hawthorne, The Birth-Mark 323). The way Aminadab is described tells us that Aminadab represents mans imperfect human half. Aminadab is a Hebrew name that translates to my nation is noble, Connor thinks that Aminadab is an interesting choice, considering that Aylmer, the mad scientist of the story, speaks to Aminadab in a derogatory manner, referring to him as a human machine and a man of clay. (Connor, 258).
Aylmer is blinded by ambition and is determined to remove the birthmark from his wifes cheek. Aylmer submerges himself into science trying to find a way to correct what he says is a visible mark of earthly imperfection. Aylmers love for science rivals his love for Georgiana which causes him to be blinded. While talking with Georgiana about the birthmark he says No dearest Georgiana, you came so nearly perfect from the hand of nature, that this slightest possible defect, which we hesitate whether to term a defect or a beauty, shocks me as being the visible mark of earthly imperfection (Hawthorne 314). By doing so he tries to play the role of god and take into his own hands something he says is imperfect and make it perfect with science these kinds of things shouldnt be controlled my mere humans. In doing so Aylmer matches his scientific abilities against nature itself and in the end nature won taking away from the earth the closest thing to perfection Georgiana.
The Birth-mark is the final symbol of imperfection. Georgianas birthmark is a blessing and a curse. Hawthorne goes to say that many of Georgianas lovers were wont to say that some fairy at her birth-hour had laid her tiny hand upon the infants cheek, and left this impress there in token of the magic endowments that were to give her such a sway over all hearts (Hawthorne 314). While many people see the mark as a beautiful thing that enhances her beauty and makes her more desirable. While Aylmer thinks of it as a fatal flaw of humanity which nature, in one shape or another, stamps ineffaceably on all her productions, either to imply that they are temporary and finite, or that their perfection must be wrought by toil and pain (Hawthorne 314-315).
Aminadab and Aylmer are opposites one representing human impurities and the other representing spiritual impurities. In Hawthornes story The Birth-Mark the major representations of imperfection is Aylmer and his assistant Aminadab and the birthmark on his wifes cheek.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Birth-Mark. 1843, The Norton Introduction to literature. 10th ed. Ed Alison Booth and Kelly J. Mays New York: Norton, 2010. 313-325. Print
Walsh, Connor. Aminadab in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Birth-Mark. Explicator 67.4 (2009): 258-260. EBSCO. Web. 11 Oct. 2011.
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