In “The Birth-Mark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne‚ the most noticeable symbol is Georgiana’s birthmark on her cheek. Her birthmark is a tiny red spot on her cheek in the shape of a small hand. In the story it says‚ “some fairy at her birth-hour had laid her tiny hand upon the infant’s cheek” (340). At the beginning of the story Georgiana has grown so tired of the birthmark she says‚ “Either remove this dreadful hand‚ or take my wretched life!” (342). Aylmer‚ her husband the scientist‚ decides to take up
Premium Nathaniel Hawthorne Short story
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story about Hester Prynne‚ her husband Roger Chillingworth and the minister that she had an affair with Roger Chillingworth. There are many strong feelings displayed throughout this novel such as revenge and forgiveness. The most prevalent feeling throughout this story is love. All the principal characters love someone and depend on them. All in all‚ The Scarlet Letter belongs in the romance novel genre because all of the characters are primarily influenced
Premium Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter Short story
In the introductory sketch to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel the "The Scarlet Letter"‚ the reader is informed that one of the author’s ancestors persecuted the Quakers harshly. The latter’s son was a high judge in the Salem witch trials‚ put into literary form in Arthur Miller’s "The Crucible" (Judge Hawthorne appears there). We learn that Hawthorne feels ashamed for their deeds‚ and that he sees his ancestors and the Puritan society as a whole with critical eyes. Consequently‚ both open and subtle
Premium Nathaniel Hawthorne Short story The Scarlet Letter
ANALYSIS OF THE SHORT STORY “THE BIRTHMARK” Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark” illustrates how one’s obsessions and moral weakness leads to another’s questioning of their self-image and drives the pursuit of perfection in our society. The main character‚ Aylmer‚ develops an obsession with becoming a world renowned alchemist‚ yet falls short when he sets his goals and cannot accomplish them. The unrealistic goals that Aylmer sets reflect how his character is composed; he consistently strives
Premium Nathaniel Hawthorne Short story
The story “The Birth-Mark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is set In Europe during the eighteenth century. Specifically the story is set in Aylmer’s sinister laboratory‚ along with a beautiful boudoir. These two locations represent what Aylmer wants to accomplish and his failures. The laboratory as described by the narrator is said to be a place that is gaseous‚ and covered in soot altogether a hideous place‚ something to be ashamed of like failures; In comparison to the boudoir that is filled with nice aromas
Premium Marriage Woman Short story
Why would he make his beautiful daughter Beatrice (protagonist) immune to the poison and make it impossible to be in love with Giovanni (the young student living in the old edifice)? The twisted and dark story of "Rappaccini’s Daughter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne definitely covers almost every aspect of Dark Romanticism. These are all examples of negative imagery‚ gothic elements‚ and harmful nature relations shown throughout the story and how Dark Romanticism is very much present. "Rappaccini’s Daughter
Premium Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem‚ Massachusetts into a family that was of Puritan belief since generations. Hawthorne’s lived in poverty with his mother and two younger sisters in a house filled with Puritan ideals. He had a feeling to some extents of Puritanism as being intolerant and cruel. Hawthorne’s states that Puritans feared that some women were completely lost to God and had turned to witchcraft to serve the Devil. Although these witches still appeared human‚ the Devil would use them
Premium Nathaniel Hawthorne Short story Salem, Massachusetts
(Chen).” Puritans were filled with extreme beliefs which caused them to harm anyone who believed anything separate from their views. This is a common reality of today’s life as well; Nevertheless‚ Hawthorne’s work is based largely on symbolism. Hawthorne uses colors to symbolize the different aspects of Puritans lifestyle. He wants his readers to feel the variety of emotions through colors by bringing attention to a rainbow. The story itself is also based on some historical truth. For Example‚
Premium American Revolution United States United States Declaration of Independence
This story has many characters and one of the most complex is Chillingworth. The questions that arise throughout the story cause the reader to revisit and question the ambiguity of his morality. Hester’s long lost husband‚ Chillingworth‚ had been living “captive” with Natives and learned their medicinal ways. When he arrives in Boston he realizes his wife is the one being publically scorned for her role in the adultery scandal. He does not want anyone to know he is her long lost husband and so he
Premium Marriage Family Hamlet
colonies captured this idea of community and heightened it to its extremes. The communitys stern regulations create a habitat which lacks personal expression and leaves little room within its boundaries for ones own identity to be ascertained. Nathaniel Hawthorne demonstrates their austere standards for society throughout his novel‚ The Scarlet Letter. In a Puritan society dominated by the necessity to conform‚ only those who isolate themselves from the strict expectations of the community may fully
Premium Community Sociology Social sciences