Imperfections In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Birthmark

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark” is an age-old story that scholars have been studying since its publication. One of the commanding themes of the story, man vs. nature, illustrates imperfections that humanity deals with daily. The story shows that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and that while some view certain features as imperfections, others view them as unique. The story follows Georgiana and her abusive husband Aylmer in his unrelenting quest to remove what he views as her only imperfection off her cheek. As Hawthorne’s short story illustrates, no one, despite their efforts, is perfect; in an imperfect world, true perfection will never be achieved. Throughout the story, the characters’ perceptions of the birthmark differ as Aylmer sees the mark as Georgiana’s imperfection, Georgiana sees the mark as a charm – that belief changes though when Aylmer insists on removing it, and Aminidab sees the birthmark as an indication of her beauty and humanity.

Aylmer states, “Georgiana, has it never occurred to you that the mark upon your cheek might be removed?” Aylmer sees the birthmark as a symbol of his wife’s imperfection; this section in the story is ironic because this should be the peak of their romance and instead Alymer is continuously ridiculing Georgiana. One of the overarching themes of Hawthorne’s writing conveys to the reader the lesson that nothing or no one is perfect. Aylmer states that the imperfection “...Is a liability to sin, sorrow, decay, and death...” With his fascination for flawlessness, Aylmer fails to see his wife’s absolute beauty and her humanity. Instead, he dwells upon the birthmark, which distracts him from what should be his primary concern – loving