What is the central idea of the birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne?
‘The Birthmark’ focuses on the theme of obsession, particularly the moment when love becomes an obsession, making it dangerous—and even deadly, shown in Aylmer’s obsession with the birthmark and Georgiana’s obsession with Aylmer to the point of willing suicide by poison.
What does the birthmark symbolize in the story?
Georgiana’s birthmark symbolizes mortality. According to the narrator, every living thing is flawed in some way, nature’s way of reminding us that every living thing eventually dies.
What happens to Georgiana at the end of the story quizlet?
Scientific experiments is what kills Georgiana. Also the nature of his birthmark is what kept her alive and right when it disappeared through science she died. The birthmark in Alymer’s eyes represents death and decay yet in retrospect it is what is keeping Georgiana alive.
Why is the birthmark an especially appropriate symbol for original sin?
The birthmark is on the left cheek in the shape of a human hand. This is connected with sin because you tend to sin with your hands. Also, think of that one Bible verse that says if your hand causes you to sin, you should cut it off.
What is the thesis of the birthmark?
Thesis Statement: In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, “The Birthmark,” the main character Aylmer pursuit for perfection conflicts directly with human mortality, ultimately resulting in the death of his wife, Georgiana.
What is the conflict in the birthmark?
In the opinion of this reader, the central conflicts in the tale – the relation between the protagonist and antagonist usually (Abrams 225) – are the external one between Aylmer and Georgiana over the birthmark on her cheek, and internal ones within Georgiana between love and self-interest and alienation, and within …
How does the birthmark relate to our society?
In our society people go to extreme lengths to achieve perfection. The ‘Birthmark’;, written more than a century ago, is an early version of our modern obsession with physical perfection. Society manifests its obsession with physical perfection by having surgical procedures done on daily basis.
Why does Georgiana feel so insecure about the mark on her face?
Initially, Georgiana has no bad thoughts about her birthmark. It’s like a unique, special trait of hers. Once she learns Aylmer’s feelings and how it disgust him, she becomes embarrassed and ashamed and starts trying to hide it.
What does Aylmer symbolize in the birthmark?
Plants. Aylmer twice uses plants to demonstrate scientific points, and in both instances they represent Georgiana herself and foreshadow the effect of the experiment on her. Aylmer shows Georgiana a plant that grows and flowers before…
What does Aylmer represent in the birthmark?
Indeed, he goes out of his way to make Aylmer a fantastical, nonrealistic being. By making Aylmer a symbol for the mind and then showing how dangerous it is when the mind operates independent of morality, Hawthorne warns us that unchecked ambition without regard for morality will result only in disaster and death.
What does Aylmer realize in the end?
At the end of “The Birthmark,” Aylmer both succeeds and fails. He succeeds in that he finally rid his wife of her birthmark. He fails in that…she’s dead.
What happens to Georgiana at the end of the birthmark?
Georgiana wakes, sees herself in the mirror, and tells Aylmer not to feel bad about rejecting “the best the earth could offer.” Then she dies.
What is the climax of the birthmark?
Climax. The couple moves to his apartment where he performs his scientific experiments. As Georgiana studies the various aspects of her husband’s profession she finds herself captivated by what he can do. Although, she reads his journals and finds out that all his experiments never quite reach their full goal.
What is the climax of the story the birthmark?
What is the climax of the birth mark?
The main conflict is between Aylmer and the birthmark, a sign of imperfection that he finds intolerable. Because Georgiana wishes to please her husband, she adopts his attitude toward the birthmark. ……. The climax occurs when Georgiana tells Aylmer that she is dying.
What can we learn from the birthmark?
“The Birthmark” Symbolism The Birthmark: To Aylmer, the mark symbolizes mortality, sin, sadness, and death. In the overall story, the birthmark symbolizes nature. Aylmer: Hawthorne describes Aylmer as the symbol of the “spiritual element” of man.
How does the narrator describe Georgiana’s birthmark?
The narrator describes the birthmark, which is small, pink, hand-shaped, and located on Georgiana ’s left cheek. It becomes less visible when she blushes, but is more visible when she is pale.
What is the summary of the birthmark?
The Birthmark Summary & Analysis. LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Birthmark, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. In the late eighteenth century, a great scientist named Aylmer takes a break from his experiments to marry a beautiful woman named Georgiana.
What is the first mention of Aylmer’s birthmark in the novel?
The very first mention of the birthmark occurs when Aylmer asks about its possible removal, foreshadowing the rest of the plot. Aylmer exhibits a willingness to openly criticize his wife, and he makes it clear that he highly values perfection.
How does Georgiana’s birthmark become less visible when she blushes?
It becomes less visible when she blushes, but is more visible when she is pale. Georgiana has had many suitors, and they have reacted to the birthmark in different ways. Some of them have yearned to kiss it.