The Birthmark Essay

In New England during the 19th century, gender roles were clearly defined and marriage simply meant the shifting of power from one male figure to another. In this era, women were expected to be willingly subordinate and subject; firstly to their father, and then to their husband. This was the period that served as a backdrop for Nathaniel Hawthornes allegorical short story, The Birthmark. In his story, Hawthorne draws attention to the gender issues of his time and the dangers of perpetuating mens superiority over women, and womens subordination to men.

Alymer, the protagonist in the story, became fixated with a woman named Georgiana. To Alymer, Georgiana was beautiful. To quote him, Georgiana, you came so nearly perfect from the hand of Nature. So enamored was he, that even though he had devoted himself.unreservedly to scientific studies ever to be weaned from them by any second passion, when it came to the pursuit of Georgianas hand in marriage he, left his laboratory to the care of an assistant.

Just after their marriage, Alymer began commenting on Georgianas birthmark. As the name birthmark implies, presumably, Georgiana had the mark from birth and definitely, during her courtship with Alymer. Ironically, this small, red hand that marked the middle of Georgianas left cheek began to be a problem for Alymer, and by extension Georgiana, but only now that they are married. The first indication of an impending crisis was his questioning whether she ever thought about having it removed. Taken aback by the very question, and then, the earnestness of his inquiry, Georgiana meekly and wisely replies, To tell you the truth it has been so often called a charm that I was simple enough to imagine it might be so. Nevertheless, Alymer becomes obsessed, he found this one defect grow more and more intolerable with every moment of their united lives. He wants only to get rid of it. Aylmers tyrannizing influence towards his wife was painful, and eventually Georgiana finds herself internalizing his obsession about her being flawed. She now questions her own identity and self perception, and soon learned to shudder at his gaze.

Since she seems not just beautiful, but also very smart, Georgiana resolves to let him have his way. She tells him, Alymer..I know not what may be the cost to both of us to rid me of this fatal birthmark, but, let the attempt be made at whatever risk. Contrary to the theory that Georgiana was so enamored or too feeble minded to understand what was happening, rather, she seemed reconciled to the status quo and thus the state of her own life. This was a time when women were inextricably anchored to the males in their lives, with no hope of ever having any power of their own, financially or otherwise, and here she was married to a man; the very person who was filled with disgust and repulsion for her. Neither divorce, nor returning home was an option. Resigned to her position, Georgiana submitted to his dominance even to the point of her death.

Georgiana permitted her husband to play, God with her life, not just because she loved and accepted him, but rather because she had very little choice. Although Alymer was introduced by the author as brilliant, Georgiana had another opinion of him. She had after all, seen his work, read his journals and, she could not but observe that his most splendid successes were almost invariably failures. In spite of this, she tried to assure him, bolster his confidence, and stroke his pride, so she tells him, It has made me worship you more than ever. Yet for him, marriage has lessened her in his eyes and suddenly given him power over her; a power that he uses to dehumanize her. Although he knew how harmful his experiments could be, his wife became just another of his scientific pursuits. Whatever the cost, to their marriage or her life, he was inexorably resolved to cut or wrench it away. When referring to the birthmark, he tells her with unrestrained thoughtlessness, it will be such a rapture to remove it.

While her love for him allowed her to accept him as he was, full of aspirations with little achievement, his arrogance prevents him from self restraint and he continues to judge her based on what he perceived as her, symbol of imperfection. The authors juxtaposing Georgians acceptance versus Aylmers judgment leaves one to wonder whether he was ever really in love with her or simply obsessed with the birthmark; the mark that his ambitions persuaded him he could fix, within a marriage he could exploit.

Georgiana never really had a chance to express her own true identity; women of that time rarely ever did. Although there are many opportunities to point out his shortcomings and question his motives, she never does because she is the woman and she knows her place in this society. And though, with her whole spirit she prayed that, for a single moment, she might satisfy his highest and deepest conception, she well knew it could not be; for his spirit was ever on the march, ever ascending, and each instant required something that was beyond the scope of the instant before. Georgiana, it seems, was quite aware of her husbands mania and one can only surmise, based upon her constant, calm and judicious response to him, that before her marriage, she was a confident, secure young woman. This makes her the stronger partner, the more insightful one and therefore, the one who could be at peace with her life and ultimately, her death.

Many issues such as gender, economic, religious and social relations are incorporated in Nathaniel Hawthornes, The Birthmark. And while his purpose behind writing this short story can always be debated, one can only assume that he wanted these issues to be explored. He wanted all readers of whatever gender, race, class or culture, to question, to challenge; at least to take a conscious look at the existing status quo. One gets the feeling that Hawthorne, like Socrates, wanted to shout to all who would hear, The unexamined life is not worth living!