The Birth-Mark
Introduction.
Everyday occurrences in society during the 19th century intrigued the ability of Nathaniel Hawthorne to weave words. He came up with a fictitious narrative which tried to explore the worlds of science and human spirituality in regards to the things they were experiencing. This quest led to the crafting of The Birth-Mark. The fiction is an engaging work which tells the link between different aspects of life and how they combine to come up with functional strategies of explaining the forces of nature. Therefore, Hawthorne succeeded in differentiating the world of sciences and the creative aspect of life. Eventually, he highlighted how human beings are obsessed with perfection and strive to transform the makings of nature in a bid to find what is appealing to their needs.
At the inception of the narrative, we are introduced to Aylmer. A science guru who heavily relies on the scientific interpretation of the frequent happening in life. He worshipped science but was later on predisposed to a wave of force which pushed him to lay aside his scientific faith and adorn the creative human nature to grow his love life. “He had devoted himself, however, too unreservedly to scientific studies ever to be weakened from them by any second passion. His love for his wife might prove stronger of the two.” (Hawthorne 341). This brief extract is a show of the strength of love over the passion held in the field of science. Aylmer had to lay low his demeanour aggressiveness in sciences and experience the natural fluid of love. He conformed to the strength of love and established a relationship with her uniquely endowed wife, Georgiana.
As the storyline unfolds, Aylmer is engaged in the scientific attempt of changing Georgiana’s natural endowment. She has a birthmark on her cheek which Aylmer tried to adore, and yet, he failed miserably. The failure stems from his conviction towards the birthmark, which overwhelmed his responsibility of revelling in the qualities and countenance of her spouse. “No, dearest Georgiana, you came so nearly perfect from the hand of Nature, that this slightest possible defect, which we hesitate whether to term a defect or a beauty, shocks me, as being the visible mark of earthly imperfection.” (Hawthorne 341). Aylmer could not take up the appearance of his wife. He considered it one of the failed attempts of nature in instilling beauty to the woman he loved. The perception of Aylmer is a characteristic of human beings in trying to modify their features which their fellows often consider as taking away from their beauty.
Moreover, Aylmer pushes through with his attempt at doing away with the mark using his scientific prowess. “The concoction of the draught has been perfect,” said he in answer to Georgiana’s look. “Unless all my science have deceived me, it cannot fail.” “Save on your account my dearest Aylmer,” observed his wife, “I might wish to put off this birth-mark of mortality by relinquishing mortality itself in preference to any other mode.” (Hawthorne 350). This account tells of Aylmer trying his self-made concoction on his wife to remove the mark. It followed a series of arguments where Aylmer pretended that he was comfortable with her appearance. It later comes out that he was trying to cover up his displeasure.
Further, the storyline is packed with imagery which assists in showcasing the struggles of human beings in reconstructing the creations of nature. Upon taking Aylmer’s concoction, which was to remove the birth-mark associated with witches, Georgiana describes to her husband how she was feeling. “It allays a feverish thirst that had perched me for many days. Now, dearest, let me sleep. My earthly sense are closing over my spirit like the leaves around the heart of a rose at sunset.” (Hawthorne 350). The first line of the excerpt describes relief. The thought of the birth-mark had lain upon Georgiana’s heart a heavy burden from which she had wished to find reprieve. The constant reference to the mark by her husband weighed down on her. Therefore, her solace would come from trying out her husband’s concoctions. However, it never turned out great since Aylmer got rid of the mark but lost the mortal love of his life.
In the course of the narrative, Hawthorne has brought out the birth-mark on Georgiana’s left cheek as an uneventful occurrence to the course of her life. This proclamation is built upon some of the remarks made while describing the mark, “In the usual state of her complexion – a healthy though delicate bloom – the mark wore a tint of deeper crimson, which imperfectly defined its shape amid the surrounding rosiness.” (341).This excerpt showcases the mark as a black stain on a white robe. It stood out among all the beautiful attributes which Georgiana possessed. Besides, the birthmark never augured well with her prospective suitors. Majority of them loved it in disguise which did hurt her. “Masculine observers, if the birthmark did not heighten their admiration, contended themselves with wishing it away, that the world might possess one living specimen of ideal loveliness without semblance of a flaw.” (Hawthorne 342). This portion of the narrative also highlights the inability of human beings to contend with the unique qualities and features that some individuals possess. The dissatisfaction is the fire behind several trials in shaping products of nature to fit our individual needs. This perception can be considered selfish of the transformers of life.
Conclusion.
Generally, Hawthorne is an exemplary writer. He has harvested stories from the lives of individuals and the constant need to restructure the appearance of items found in nature. The blend of these two sources has crafted a tale which explores the perceptions of science maniacs and the embracers of nature.
Work Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “SYMBOL AND FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: The Birth-Mark.” Pgs (340-351) 1846.