The Birthmark
In this passage, excerpted from “The Birthmark,” Nathaniel Hawthorne explains the essential cause that led to Georgiana’s death. Through his description of the characters and the symbols portrayed in the passage, we become familiarized to comprehend the true meaning of how greed can lead to disaster and destruction.
Aylmer’s ways of thinking show that he disapproves of the birthmark on Georgiana’s face. Aylmer thinks that if the birthmark did not exist, his marriage with his wife “should have been the happiest.” He finds it “disastrous” to even look at her face, and when he does, his mind fills up with “innumerable trains of thought” of ways he can get rid of the birthmark. When Aylmer faces Georgiana, he “recognize[s]” her attribute that makes her imperfect and he does it with a “peculiar expression.” Aylmer assumes his marriage would be more fulfilling if his wife did not possess such flaw. His attitude causes him to continually desire to change her physical appearance, which restricts him from consider seeing the lovable side of her. The fact that he displays a specific expression on his face, whenever he looks at her, proves that he has difficulty accepting Georgiana just the way she is.
