The Birthmark

            In Nathaniel Hawthorn's "The Birthmark," the main character Aylmer struggles for scientific perfection; he attempts to perfect that which nature rendered imperfect. When the quest for human achievement opposes divine design it has no chance of succeeding. This key element in Aylmer's twisted love leads to the downfall of what he seeks so desperately to perfect, his beautiful wife. Georgiana's "fatal flaw of humanity" (43); the birthmark, blocks her from perfection in his eyes, and thus blemishes Aylmer's prideful ideals. Her alleged inferiority to science leads to her death and Aylmer's complete failure as both a scientist and a spouse. .
             From the very start of the story, Aylmer is described as a man with a certain degree of physical finery that alludes to perfection " cleared his fine countenance- (42). He is described as a man with a passionate interest for science; actually, he devotes almost his entire life to it. "He had devoted himself too unreservedly to scientific studies ever to be weaned from them- (42). this scientific setting shows that Aylmer's love for Georgiana as his "second passion" (42). Georgiana comes second in his pursuit of happiness, whereas science could be called his first love. He becomes obsessed with the idea of changing his beloved to suit his fancy.
             Georgiana had a mark on her cheek, hardly a cause for concern to the average human. This mark was "deeply interwoven . with the texture and substance of her face" (42). The mark was almost the tint of crimson and bore the shape of a tiny hand; that changed with her moods. When she was rosy cheeked and happy, it simply grew faint and disappeared; yet with any sudden change in emotion, she was apt to turning pale and thus, the mark reappeared " . in what Aylmer deemed an almost fearful distinctness" (43). .
             The fact that the birthmark changes with Georgiana's passing moods bothers Aylmer because with its " .glimmering to and fro with every emotion that throbbed within her heart" it is" .