Human Imperfection Illustrated in Hawthornes The...

It is hard to say that one is human and perfect at the same time. Human beings are not capable of achieving perfection; if that would be so, humans would stop being humans. By nature the human race is full of flaws, some appearing as early as in the womb. From defects in the body, to defects in the mind, to the mistakes that one makes in quotidian life, it is impossible to deny that human imperfection exists. To try to manipulate humans into perfection is not only impossible, but it takes away the very essence of being a human being. The short story â€Å"The Birthmark† by Nathaniel Hawthorn, illustrates this teaching through the character of Aylmer, an ambitious and devoted scientist who is appalled by his wife Georgiana’s birthmark, believing†¦show more content†¦To say that Hawthorn was completely opposed to this belief system is debatable. Nevertheless, the reader can interpret from â€Å"The Birthmark† a hidden theme that shows what seems to be Hawt horn’s true view of the issue. The symbol that Hawthorn uses is the birthmark on Georgiana’s cheek. Georgiana is perhaps the most beautiful woman ever and appears to be perfect in everyway, except for that tiny birthmark on her left cheek. Georgiana is quite content with her beauty mark. Aylmer however, cannot bear the sight of this slight natural imperfection and is very persistent on getting it removed. â€Å"But seeing her otherwise so perfect, he found this one defect grow more and more intolerable with every moment of their united lives† (Hawthorne 607). The birthmark on Georgiana symbolizes her humanity. Although she appears to be entirely â€Å"perfect† this mark reminds her and the people who surround her that she is still only human. The birthmark â€Å"was the fatal flaw of humanity which Nature, in one shape or another, stamps ineffaceably on all her productions†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hawthorne 607). Aylmer fails to completely grasp the notion that imperfection is a part of the â€Å"huma n package†, if you will; and that nothing, not even the greatest science can ever change that. The story tells the reader that Georgiana’s birthmark is â€Å"deeply interwoven† (606). This is very important because symbolically it is saying how the birthmark is such a deep and essential part of her being that only aShow MoreRelated Nathaniel Hawthorne: No Ordinary Author Essay3147 Words   |  13 Pagesin little to no variation.   One author, though born into the era of Romanticism dared to expand the possibilities nineteenth - century literature had to offer.   Through works such as Young Goodman Brown, The Ministers Black Veil, and The Birthmark, Nathaniel Hawthorne incorporated Romanticism into his own style.   Including ordinary men, such as Mr. Hooper, Goodman Brown, and Aylmer helped to classify Hawthorne as a semi-Romantic author.   Other Romantic characteristics were found in his