Sunday, October 13, 2019
The Birthmark Essay -- essays research papers fc
A Story of Love and Science A Story of Love and Science      Nathaniel Hawthorne is a nineteenth century American Novelist whose works are deeply concerned with the ethical problems of sin, punishment, and atonement (Adams 168). The New England writer also handles the romantic theme very well and is a master of historical fiction. Hawthorne was a descendant of one of the judges at the Salem witch trials, and he set many of his works in Puritan New England and during early crises in American history (Encarta).      â€Å"The Birthmark,†like many of Hawthorne’s stories deals with the relationship between men and women. It is a love story where the quest for perfection leads to a tragic end. The protagonist, a scientist named Aylmer, attempts to attain perfection for his new wife Georgiana, by removing a birthmark resembling a small hand from her left cheek. Written in 1843, it was Hawthorne’s first work of fiction right after he married his wife, Sophia (Encarta). This adds depth to the story in a way that Hawthorne can relate to it in a more direct manner. It was written during the Old Manse period in Hawthorne’s life (July 1842 to October 1845) when he was becoming interested in the place in society of the artist. In â€Å"The Birthmark†Hawthorne finishes by giving credit to the flaws and imperfections of human nature.      The story shows Hawthorne’s opinion that some things that were created by God cannot be changed. This can be seen from an article in the American Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge in 1836 where he stated â€Å"the Creator has absolutely debarred mankind from all inventions and discoveries, the results of which would counter act the general laws, that He has established over human affairs,†(Adams 169).      In â€Å"The Birthmark,†Hawthorne uses the obsession of the scientist Aylmer who wishes to combine the love he has for science with the love for his wife. Aylmer sees the birthmark on his wife’s cheek of an imperfection and a symbol of man’s mortality. Aylmer is described in terms of high praise, praise for his aspiration toward the infinite, for his pure and honorable love that will accept nothing less than perfection (Jones 193). Aylmer’s effort in removi... ...st die, as Georgiana does.      In â€Å"The Birthmark†Hawthorne presents a love story that brings forth the larger idea of man’s quest for perfection. He concludes that the perfect love and the perfect wife cannot be attained through man’s own actions. Hawthorne used his knowledge of Transcendentalism to put forth the idea that man could use his knowledge and abilities to overcome nature. The story’s tragic ending shows that science cannot change man’s basic nature and that some things should not be messed with. Love and science sometimes do not mix. Works Cited Adams, Richard. N.p.: n.p., 1958. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Sheila Fitzgerald. Vol. 3. Detroit: Gale, 1989. 169-170 Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Celestrial Railroad and Other Stories. New York: Signet, 1963. Jones, Madison. â€Å"Variations on a Hawthorne Theme.†Studies in      Short Fiction. 15.3 (1978): 227-83 â€Å"Nathaniel Hawthorne.†Microsoft Encarta Encylopedia 99. CD- ROM. N.p.: n.p, 1999. Wohlpart, James. â€Å"Allegories of Art, Allegories of Heart: Hawthorne’s ‘Egotism’ and ‘The Christmas Banquet’.†Studies in Short Fiction. 31.3 (1994): 449-95.
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