Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, "The Birthmark," explores the themes of perfection, obsession, and human nature. The story follows a scientist, Aylmer, who becomes increasingly obsessed with removing the birthmark on his wife Georgiana's cheek. However, once he succeeds in removing it, the consequences of his actions become clear, and the theme of the story shifts. In the beginning, Aylmer's obsession with perfection is evident when he first sees Georgiana's birthmark. He sees it as a flaw and a sign of imperfection, stating, "If she were my wife, I'd never part with that birthmark." This quote reveals Aylmer's obsession with perfection, as he cannot tolerate anything that he deems to be imperfect. Aylmer's obsession grows as he becomes fixated on removing the birthmark, convinced that it is the key to achieving perfect beauty. He becomes increasingly consumed with the idea, saying, "This one defect was the visible mark of earthly imperfection." This quote highlights Aylmer's belief that perfection can only be achieved by removing all imperfections, no matter how small they may seem. …show more content…
Hawthorne writes, "The fatal hand had grappled with the mystery of life and was the bond by which an angelic spirit kept itself in union with a mortal frame." This quote reveals the consequences of Aylmer's obsession, as he has essentially removed the essence of Georgiana's humanity in his pursuit of