Georgiana in The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne :: essays research papers

In “The Birthmark,'; by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Georgiana’s futile attempt to be flawless by cooperating in her own murder doesn’t make her any wiser, especially because such a sacrifice does not earn her closeness with her husband. The character of Georgiana epitomizes the virtues upheld by the conventions of her time; she is beautiful, docile and has no ambitions of her own other than to make her husband happy. In addition to this apparent perfect union is a "singular mark, deeply interwoven, as it were, with the texture and substance of her face" (Hawthorne 11). The birthmark is differently interpreted by all. Initially Georgiana thinks of the birthmark, as “a charm,'; and Aylmer knows not “whether to term [the birthmark] a defect or a beauty . . .'; (Hawthorne 11). Most persons of her own sex refers it as “the bloody hand,'; that “Quite destroy(s) the effect of Georgiana’s beauty . . .'; (Hawthorne 11). While her admirers “were won’t to say that some fairy at her birth-hour had laid her tiny hand upon the infant’s cheek, and left this impress [the birthmark] there in token of the magic endowments that were to give her such sway over all hearts'; (Hawthorne 11). Georgiana’s casual approach towards the birthmark reveals while she answers “No, indeed,'; when her husband asks her “has it never occurred to you [Georgiana] that the mark upon your cheek might be removed?'; (Hawthorne 10). Aylmer however visions the birthmark as Hawthorne s ays “small blue stains which sometimes occur in the purest statuary marble . . .'; (11). Later on “Georgiana soon learn(s) to shudder'; as her husband’s hatred towards the birthmark considerably increases (Hawthorne 12). Aylmer’s obsession soon starts reflecting in Georgiana. She at this point ignores all warnings and falls prey to her husband’s ambition of removing the birthmark, of which, he although is “convinced of the perfect practicability . . .'; (Hawthorne 13). Georgiana learns from Aylmer’s dream that, there might be a situation in the course of the operation when he might be “inexorably resolved to cut or wrench it [her heart] away'; (Hawthorne 13). Her recent interpretation of the birthmark overshadows this dream as she now even at the “remotest possibility'; wants that “the attempt be made, at whatever risk'; (Hawthorne 13). Aylemer’s dream however is not the only warning that Georgiana receives. Aylmer to gain confidence in her wife and to declare success in his new venture performs a couple of experiments, which results futile.