Essay About Nathaniel Hawthorne And Part Of Society Today

Nathaniel Hawthorne
Essay Preview: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Report this essay
Although “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne was written in the mid-1800s, its themes and ideas are still a part of society today. The 19th century was a time of change, just as this, the millennium, is a time of great change. Hawthornes ideas about science, beauty, and life still play a major part in our lives, despite many improvements. Even today, people try to play “God” and change things that nature has put in place. Its human curiosity; how much can be changed, how many things can be perfected? The themes in this short story– religion, gender, and science–were relevant in Hawthornes day, and still are many years later. The theme of religion is hidden in the desire to erase the birthmark. In trying to “perfect” Georgiana, Aylmer is testing Gods creation. He doesnt believe that how God created Georgiana is perfect, and he is obsessive about making her his idea of perfection. Aminadab, Aylmers servant, tries to tell his master to leave the birthmark alone. He tells Aylmer that if Georgiana were his wife, he wouldnt worry about something so trivial. However, the scientific ideas on Aylmers mind wont let him forget the birthmark. He believes he can remove it with the help of science. Even so, science has no part in creation, according to Hawthorne, and Georgianas death after the removal of the birthmark signifies that theory. Her death is Hawthornes way of showing that judgment and perfection are Gods duties–not mans. In todays society we still battle this idea; is perfection attainable through science? Maybe people think so–thousands have cosmetic surgery performed every year as a way of trying to make themselves more beautiful. Religion has taken a step back in society today, so the significance of perfection by God has also been moved to the back burner. But, underlying all the surgeries performed today, is the question: Is it right to change what was given to you by God? Perhaps, but it is not without consequence. Many cosmetic surgeries require painful recovery time or follow-ups, and even some may be dangerous to ones health. Hawthornes gender bias reflects his times, naturally, but they are slightly exaggerated in this story. Georgiana is a rational woman, but Aylmer wont listen to her. She is a woman and, therefore, is not supposed to have anything to contribute. She agrees to all the attempts to remove her birthmark because she is submissive and cant bring herself to tell her husband “no.” A “good” wife wouldnt question her husbands motives, so she allows him to perform tests and administer concoctions. Even at the moment of her death, as her birthmark is removed, she shows some happiness at pleasing her husband. Georgianas worst fear is an unhappy marriage, and she would much rather die than have Aylmer look at her with disgust. Gender bias today is not as strong as it once was but it still exists. For some women, there is still that desire to be submissive and please men. Many women have overcome this, but there