Symbolism in "The Birthmark"

Symbolism in “The Birthmark”

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic short story “The Birthmark” tells the allegory tale of Nature verse Science. When the ambitious and brilliant scientist, Aylmer, goes too far in his pursuit to alter nature with the intent to create his own model of perfection, he ends up destroying one of the two things that matter most to him. Hawthorne’s portrayal of Aylmer’s ambition skillfully demonstrates the devastating consequences that lie ahead when ones reach surpasses ones grasp. It also reminds us that many things nature bestows upon us are imperfectly beautiful the way they are and man should not attempt to change.

The setting of this story also sets the tone, which is serious and formal. The reader senses a serious darkness and mysterious aura surrounding the character Aylmer and his fascination of all things scientific. This attraction and strong belief that science is “superior” to all suggests that Aylmer believes that science is practically a form of religion to him. Aylmer’s faith in science matches the devotion one would set in his own religion as expressed in the story’s opening line, “In the latter part of the last century there lived a man…a spiritual affinity more attractive than any chemical one” (343). Aylmer’s scientific role defines who he feels he is.

Aylmer’s laboratory is described to the reader as a cold, scary, and creepy place. Whereas the boudoir he sets up for his wife, Georgiana is completely the opposite. It is beautiful, welcoming, and possesses a certain peaceful quality to it. To Georgiana, “The scene around her looked like enchantment” (347). An important element of the laboratory setting is the description that makes the reader aware of an unpleasant chemical stench that comes from the laboratory reemphasizing to the reader the symbolism of the power he feels science provides. Ironically, Aylmer has experienced little success so the “darkness” Hawthorne depicts in the laboratory represents the...