The Birth Mark Symbolism

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In the short story, “The Birth-Mark,” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a scientist named Aylmer attempts to remove a hand shaped birthmark off of his otherwise flawless new bride Georgiana. However, the story has a much deeper, teaching the reader that humans cannot be perfect in every aspect and our imperfections make us human. The deeper meaning, or the theme, of “The Birth-Mark” is revealed throughout the story in its symbols.
The first symbol in the story is Georgina’s birthmark. In fact, this symbol is so important to the story, that Hawthorne tells the reader that it is a symbol stating that Aylmer had, “[selected] it as the symbol of his wife's liability to sin, sorrow, decay, and death” (342). On the surface, one might see the birthmark as simply something ugly that Aylmer wants Georgina to get rid of. However, as Hawthorne points out, the birthmark really signifies getting rid of Georgina’s imperfections. This relates to the theme of the story, as when Aylmer does remove Georgina’s birthmark, she dies. The death occurs, because the birth mark is her imperfection and the imperfection of the birthmark makes her human.
Aylmer’s dream about …show more content…
We see the Heaven like characteristics of the boudoir when the author depicts it as “a pavilion among the clouds"(345). It is also described as having a “penetrating fragrance” along with “grandeur and grace that no other species of adornment can achieve” (345). Over all, it is a serene and calm place that is comparable to the beautiful and perfect Heaven depicted in the Bible. The reader also must note that the boudoir is where Aylmer, who tries to play God in the story, tries to perfect Georgina. Unfortunately for Aylmer though, the imperfection of the birthmark is what makes Georgina human. Once again, this fits into the theme that humans cannot be perfect, as when Georgina’s imperfection is removed, she passes

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