Matthew Longman Thursday, October 25, 2001
             In Nathanial Hawthorne's short story, the Birthmark, he tells a story about a scientist, who believes he is more creative and skilled than Mother Nature herself, and his wife Georgiana. In the short story, Georgiana's birthmark is representative of her soul because of several examples and instances in the story. There are several points in the story that imply her soul is linked to her birthmark. For example, the way Aylmer acts towards Georgiana, the way others act and feel towards her, also the way Georgiana feels about it herself, and several quotes in the story. Hawthorne expresses these ideas very well and on several occasions.
             In the beginning of the story, Hawthorne shows the level of desire at which Georgiana is held. He describes how the birthmark "left this impress there in token of the magic endowments that were to give her such sway over all hearts. Many a desperate swain would have risked life for the privilege pressing his lips to the mysterious hand." Also, at the end of the short story, Aylmer's assistant, Aminadab says, "If she were my wife, I'd never part with that birthmark." This shows how others cherish Georgiana and realize that all of her, including any slight imperfections she might have, is wonderful and acceptable.
             In the later part of the story, in a conversation between Aylmer and Georgiana before she drinks the serum, Georgiana speaks of how important she thinks it is to get rid of the birthmark. When Aylmer looks at the birthmark on Georgiana's face, it is so hard for him to grasp the concept of imperfection that he shudders. Georgiana says, "Oh, spare me! Pray do not look at it again. I never can forget that convulsive shudder." She wants to please Aylmer and be rid of the birthmark, or die. She feels her birthmark is a part of her, she says "Alas! It was true! The fatal ha...