Symbolism In The Birthmark
"The Birthmark" by Hawthorne is a short fiction that warns readers to take a second thought towards pursuing physical perfection. Throughout the story, Hawthorne uses a great deal of symbolism. These symbols in Hawthorne's "Birthmark" not only foreshadow the outcome of the story but also reinforce the theme significantly. The birthmark in the story is a tiny, hand-shaped imperfection on Georgiana's cheek. This tiny mark on Georgiana's cheek may seem to be charming by others. However, to her husband, Aylmer, the birthmark is far from charming. In fact, it is perceived as a "crimson hand"(329) that lures him into destruction. By trying to manipulate Georgiana's natural beauty with science, Aylmer acts as a devil and brings Georgiana to the end
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As many people may be familiar with the myth of Eden, Aylmer, the ambitious scientist that tries to alter Georgiana's natural beauty is the figure of Satan. The laboratory, which Aylmer devoted most of his time, is described as a room with "atmosphere felt oppressively close, and was tainted with gaseous odours which had been tormented forth with its naked walls and brick pavement, looked strange, and accustomed"(336). Above and beyond the unappealing setting, there have been record failed experiments. The record of failed experiments foretells that Georgiana's experiment will be a failure. To recapitulate, it is rational to perceive Aylmer as Satan and his laboratory as a comparison to hell. On the other hand, Georgiana, the naïve and attractive woman for whom most people would risk their life just to lay their lip on her cheek is the figure of Eve in Eden (329). At the beginning of the story, Georgiana lived happily without any worry. However, one day, Aylmer realizes Georgiana's birthmark and ensnares her into removing it off her cheek. The concept is similar to the story of Eden. Originally, Adam and Eve lived happily in Eden. But, one day, Satan treacherously told Eve about the tree of wisdom. Then he slowly lured her into eating one of the apples that offered the power of wisdom. After Eve had eaten the apple, she did received wisdom. Yet, she also got punished by God to leave Eden. In the story, Georgiana did get to remove her birthmark after she drank the potion offered by Aylmer but she died because she went against nature. Georgiana's death shows that going against or altering nature may result in
As many people may be familiar with the myth of Eden, Aylmer, the ambitious scientist that tries to alter Georgiana's natural beauty is the figure of Satan. The laboratory, which Aylmer devoted most of his time, is described as a room with "atmosphere felt oppressively close, and was tainted with gaseous odours which had been tormented forth with its naked walls and brick pavement, looked strange, and accustomed"(336). Above and beyond the unappealing setting, there have been record failed experiments. The record of failed experiments foretells that Georgiana's experiment will be a failure. To recapitulate, it is rational to perceive Aylmer as Satan and his laboratory as a comparison to hell. On the other hand, Georgiana, the naïve and attractive woman for whom most people would risk their life just to lay their lip on her cheek is the figure of Eve in Eden (329). At the beginning of the story, Georgiana lived happily without any worry. However, one day, Aylmer realizes Georgiana's birthmark and ensnares her into removing it off her cheek. The concept is similar to the story of Eden. Originally, Adam and Eve lived happily in Eden. But, one day, Satan treacherously told Eve about the tree of wisdom. Then he slowly lured her into eating one of the apples that offered the power of wisdom. After Eve had eaten the apple, she did received wisdom. Yet, she also got punished by God to leave Eden. In the story, Georgiana did get to remove her birthmark after she drank the potion offered by Aylmer but she died because she went against nature. Georgiana's death shows that going against or altering nature may result in