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The Birthmark Chapter 1 Questions And Answers

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Answer 2
The literal meaning of the excerpt is that Nature marks it’s creation in one way or another to remind them that they are not perfect and that every creation is mortal. The excerpt was discussing Aylmer 's disgust at his wife’s birthmark, and the whole purpose of Nature stamping all of it’s creations is to remind humans that they are not perfect, however Aylmer was completely against that, which would explain his obsession to conquer Nature.
Another phrase that can symbolize the birthmark is the next sentence: “The crimson hand expressed the ineludible gripe in which mortality clutches the highest and purest of earthly mould, degrading them into kindred with the lowest, and even with the brutes, like whom their visible frames return …show more content…

If he would be able to remove it, he would be able to divorce spirituality from physicality, which is his constant obsession. From the phrase: “His brightest diamonds were the merest pebbles, and felt to be so by himself, in comparison with the inestimable gems which lay hidden beyond his reach” shows us how Aylmer realized himself how little he accomplished, and the birthmark drives him crazy since it is so far out of his reach to actually accomplish it, however if he could do it: "Even Pygmalion, when his sculptured woman assumed life, felt not greater ecstasy than mine will be” is a reference to the goddess Pygmalion when she was sculpted by the gods, fueling Aylmer 's desire to divorce physicality from spirituality further, and be considered a god.

Answer 4 The flower represents man 's attempts to duplicate Nature, and even though the flower was described as “perfect and lovely” in the story, the flower can’t rival nature’s creations. The fact that the flower quickly turns black and dies after Georgina touches it can indicate that Aylmer 's experiments can have consequences, and that his wife may die soon.

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