Symbolism in The Birthmark
There have been many writers who have astonished the literary world with their configuration of short stories, but none of them have perfected the art as well as Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne wrote in a time period when Fredrick Douglas was paving the road to racial freedom, Ralph Waldo Emerson wanted to world to be seen through the transparent eyeball, and Henry David Thoreau was living the unfettered life. In comparison to the modern writings of his time, Hawthorne's style was viewed as outdated; nonetheless, Hawthorne addressed modern issues in the symbols and themes of his stories. Through the use of symbols and themes, the short story, "The Birthmark", is the best example of Hawthorne representing modern issues. Through his use of symbolism, Hawthorne addresses the issue of the fatal flaw of humanity that nature imposes upon everyone. He addresses the issue of man manipulating nature through the theme of the story. While some might have viewed Hawthorne's writing style as outdated, he focused on issues that are modern and contemporary to his time. The modern issue of man's ability to manipulate nature, and the results of that manipulation, is seen in a scientist's obsession with pe
Aylmer finds the cure for his wife's one flaw and administers the potion to her. The style of Hawthorne's writing has been deemed as outdated by some literary critics, but if they would look deeper they would find a mind filled with contemporary thoughts. Through the use of symbols, Hawthorne addresses the issues of man's fatal flaw from the hands nature, while he uses the theme of his story to make aware that nature cannot be manipulated. The most important symbol in, "The Birthmark", that shows modern thought is the birthmark on Georgiana's cheek. Seeing her otherwise so perfect, he found this one defect grow more and more intolerable with every moment of their united lives (2226). Hawthorne not only conveys modern issues through the theme of his story, but he also uses symbols to express contemporary issues. Rappaccini's father and Aylmer use their women as experiments. No dearest Georgiana, you came so near perfect form the hands 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 earthy imperfection (2225). The birthmark has references to life, death, beauty, and disgust all of which are fatal flaws that nature imposes on her creations. Georgiana's pure faith symbolizes the modern issue of men controlling women. Another symbol that shows modern issues in Hawthorne's writing is Georgiana herself. Aylmer and Georgina are in love, yet there is a twist to the love that Aylmer possess for his wife. Nature has imposed upon her a tiny red birthmark, which is the obstacle in the love that Aylmer has for Georgiana. Aylmer's obsession with manipulating nature was the eventual downfall of his true love.
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Acceptance Essays
