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  • Essay / Women in Brief - 763

    Nathaniel Hawthorne is known for his themes focused on gender and the role of women in society. These themes are clearly visible in his famous work “The Scarlet Letter”. Additionally, these themes are also represented in this short story “The Birthmark”. The Birthmark is the story of a “man of science” who “persuaded a beautiful woman” to marry him. “Very soon after the marriage,” Aylmer wanted his wife Georgina's birthmark removed, as it made her imperfect in his eyes. The birthmark illustrates the norms, duties and obligations of a woman in marriage as well as in her society. The birthmark, "a crimson stain on the snow" was an imperfection and a symbol of "one's wife's responsibility for sin, sorrow, decadence and death." In Aylmer's vision, the birthmark was seen as a defect in his wife; nevertheless, it was Aylmer who was the fault in their relationship. He was obsessed with something unattainable that cost his wife her life. The birthmark enhanced her beauty and is described as "several a desperate bridegroom would have risked their lives for the privilege of pressing their lips to this mysterious hand." The birthmark was not considered a defect by other men except her husband. On the other hand, it should be noted that Hawthorne in this short story does not mention any of Georgina's views on Aylmer's faults. This involves the conflict between gender expectations in a society. It's normal for a man to have flaws while a woman is supposed to be perfect in every way. This is also seen today, only “beautiful” women are seen on television and some, perhaps a little less beautiful, have surgery. Society has created this imaginary perception of a perfect woman. Every woman is expected to be perfect. Let it be at home like a house...... in the middle of paper... light and playful secrets that science had taught him among its deepest knowledge. Aylmer once again portrays the role of society in trying to impose its expectations on women. To explain further, it shows how a woman accepts her societal expectations because society itself (just like Aylmer) clandestinely soothes and comforts women (his wife). The Birthmark of Nathaniel Hawthorne is a very complex story made up of many complex conflicts. In addition to societal norms and expectations for women, this also reinforces the relationship between science and nature, which is another big conflict seen in this short story. After several readings, it was the relationship and conflict between society and women that stood out to me the most because it is something that everyone can relate to, especially women. Works CitedNathaniel Hawthorne, THE BIRTHMARK.