Introduction
Nemecia and The Birthmark are two short stories that explore abuse and the acceptance of oneself and others. The Birthmark was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1846, whereas Nemecia was published by Kirstin Valdez Quade in 2012 (Hawthorne, 1846; Quade, 2012).
Plot Summary
The first story tells a tale of a brilliant scientist named Alymer, who seeks to rid his wife, Georgiana, of a minor blemish on her cheek (Hawthorne, 1846). Its existence distraught him a great deal, making him guilt-trip her to undergo a medical procedure in the name of perfection and love. The woman ends up dying in the process, causing Alymer to suffer great grief (Hawthorne, 1846).
Nemecia, on the other hand, is a recollection of a young girl about her cousin, who has lived with the family for a long time (Quade, 2012). During that time, the girl suffers subtle and elaborate abuse from Nemecia, ranging from alienation from one’s own family to careful physical disfigurement at the hands of her cousin. The story ends on a half-note, leaving it unclear whether there is reconciliation between the two or whether the abuse has ceased to serve a purpose (Quade, 2012). This essay will compare and contrast the primary protagonists and antagonists in both stories and conclude by reviewing the topics illuminated.
Alymer and Nemecia Comparative Analysis
At first glance, it would appear that Alymer and Nemecia are entirely different in their behavior and motivations. Alymer is a scientist, and his intentions may appear to show some degree of altruism. He seeks to rid his wife of something he perceives as disfiguring and to have her appearance match the beauty of her soul (Hawthorne, 1846).
Nemecia, on the other hand, is adept at damaging beautiful things in subtle ways that make them less appealing(Quade, 2012). That behavior first appeared when she damaged toys and trinkets her cousin received as gifts from her parents. That behavior culminates when Nemecia physically damages the younger girl, purposefully, over a long period of time, leaving a scar leading from her nose to the upper lip (Quade, 2012).
However, the similarity between the two characters becomes apparent when their motives are investigated further. Both are inherently selfish in their actions, as they do so to make themselves feel better about something. Alymer is dissatisfied with his wife’s appearance, so he seeks to improve it for his own sake, rather than hers, and is willing to put the woman’s life in danger to satisfy himself. Nemecia, on the other hand, does so to bring others down and to appear more beautiful and ladylike by comparison. Thus, both exhibit traits of narcissistic behavior, to the detriment of others.
Georgina and the Narrator from Nemecia Comparative Analysis
The main quality that Georgina and the Narrator from Nemecia share is that both are victims of their antagonists’ narcissistic obsessions. They are manipulated by passions and internal desires in similar ways. The Narrator is conditioned by her cousin to long for the little bits of affection that appear to make the abuse seem tolerable and worthwhile (Quade, 2012). Likewise, Georgina is gaslit by her husband into thinking that the little blemish on her cheek is ruining their marriage (Hawthorne, 1846). It makes her believe that she should consent to the dangerous experimental treatment to stop seeing the displeasure on Alymer’s face whenever he sees it.
The difference between the two characters is that the Narrator from Nemecia is more self-aware of the abuse she is going through. The girl does not love her abuser, and in time, grows to hate her cousin. By then, however, the damage is already done – Nemecia manages to disfigure the girl’s face, ruin her big day during Corpus Christi, and sour the relationship between the Narrator and her family for a significant while (Quade, 2012). Georgina, on the other hand, remains loving and faithful to her husband to the very end, and does not hate him for ending her life (Hawthorne, 1846). This kind of innocent behavior on her part can be attributed to the popular romantic ideals of female innocence and naivety at the time.
Conclusions
Both stories feature physical and mental abuse of women by people they love and care about, be it spouses or members of their family. In both cases, the abuse is subtle and may even present itself as well-meaning, but always leaves lasting (and sometimes, lethal) damage on its victims. The Narrator and Georgina share the experience of suffering from an emotional rollercoaster of love and abuse, while their antagonists – Nemecia and Alymer- seek to achieve their goals at the victims’ expense.
In both stories, reconciliation is half-hearted, if existing at all, and laced with bitterness and regret. Nemecia’s motives are not entirely understood, but understanding her actions does not mean condoning them. Like Alymer, she is guilty of turning a person into a victim, and treating them horribly, despite whatever narrative they may have weaved to justify their actions.
References
Hawthorne, N. (1846). The birthmark.
Quade, K. V. (2012). Nemecia.