The novel Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelly in 1818, since then the story has become a classic archetype. The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne, follows this archetype. Although The Birthmark and Frankenstein are not identical both stories have similar archetypal characters and share similar themes of abused power and redemption.
The Frankenstein archetype requires three types of characters: a obsessive, mad scientist, a pure kind feminine presents and a monster, both sympathetic and ruthless. Although the characters from the birthmark are not carbon copies of the characters in Frankenstein they share similar personality traits and experiences. Both works have at least one Madonna like woman who is pure and good through out her entire life. In The Birthmark this character is Aylmer’s wife, Georgiana, who is both beautiful and kind. Despite the distain and obsession her husband develops with the birthmark on her face Georgiana is unwavering in her love and loyalty for him. Even when Georgiana realizes that her husband’s experiment to remove her birthmark is more likely to fail then succeed, she lets him go ahead anyways. Her kindness is so profound that even seconds before she dies at his hands she shows nothing but devotion for Aylmer telling him, “you have aimed loftily; you have done nobly. Do not repent that with so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the earth could offer…” Hawthrone,348.
Georgiana is very similar to two women in Frankenstein, who, like her are young and beautiful, kind and loving. Justine Mortiz grew close to Victor Frankenstein’s mother, nursing her back to health when she was sick. After leaving briefly following the death of Victor’s mother, she rejoined the Frankenstein household as a servant and domestic for Victor and his wife. Justine, like Georgiana died as a result of an obsessed scientist and his creation. Justine was framed by the monster Victor created, she was found guilty and executed for the murder... [continues]
The Frankenstein archetype requires three types of characters: a obsessive, mad scientist, a pure kind feminine presents and a monster, both sympathetic and ruthless. Although the characters from the birthmark are not carbon copies of the characters in Frankenstein they share similar personality traits and experiences. Both works have at least one Madonna like woman who is pure and good through out her entire life. In The Birthmark this character is Aylmer’s wife, Georgiana, who is both beautiful and kind. Despite the distain and obsession her husband develops with the birthmark on her face Georgiana is unwavering in her love and loyalty for him. Even when Georgiana realizes that her husband’s experiment to remove her birthmark is more likely to fail then succeed, she lets him go ahead anyways. Her kindness is so profound that even seconds before she dies at his hands she shows nothing but devotion for Aylmer telling him, “you have aimed loftily; you have done nobly. Do not repent that with so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the earth could offer…” Hawthrone,348.
Georgiana is very similar to two women in Frankenstein, who, like her are young and beautiful, kind and loving. Justine Mortiz grew close to Victor Frankenstein’s mother, nursing her back to health when she was sick. After leaving briefly following the death of Victor’s mother, she rejoined the Frankenstein household as a servant and domestic for Victor and his wife. Justine, like Georgiana died as a result of an obsessed scientist and his creation. Justine was framed by the monster Victor created, she was found guilty and executed for the murder... [continues]
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