Introduction
The Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne have much in common. Both works tell the story of incredibly smart scientists who, nevertheless, overestimated their capabilities and decided to interfere in Nature. Each of them achieved their goals and, in doing so, sacrificed human lives. Although Aylmer and Dr. Frankenstein have a lot in common, there is a significant difference between them. Therefore, this paper will analyze the similarities and differences between these two characters.
The Parallels Between Dr. Frankenstein and Aylmer
Dr. Frankenstein and Aylmer are very selfish and believe they can interfere with Nature to correct its imperfections. At the same time, none of them think about how their experiment will affect other people and what the consequences may be. For them, there is science for the sake of science and to show their superiority.
Moreover, each of them feels like a misunderstood genius. Dr. Frankenstein does not ask his fellow travelers “to undertake my pilgrimage, to endure the hardships that I have undergone” (Shelley 258). For him, other people’s opinion about his activities does not really matter. Aylmer also does not consider the opinions of others and ignores his assistant Aminadab’s remark about the lack of need to remove Georgiana’s birthmark. Moreover, both characters are selfish in their desire to succeed and strive to surpass Nature.
However, Aylmer does not risk realizing his biggest plans, as he understands that serious interventions in Nature can lead to negative consequences. For example, a character states that a human could create from nothing or “concoct a liquid that should prolong life for years” (Hawthorne para. 38). However, in the story, Aylmer’s main goal is to correct the imperfections of Nature so that his wife Georgiana becomes ideal for him. He inspires a woman with his desires and manipulates her feelings to create an ideal.
The dialogues between Aylmer and Georgiana make it clear that the scientist has repeatedly thought about his plan. The man is confident in the success of his plan and declares that he is “competent to render this dear cheek as faultless as his fellow” (Hawthorne para. 19). Moreover, imperfections do not frighten the character, but appeal to him with disgust and a desire to correct them. Aylmer genuinely rejoices when he sees the birthmark on his wife’s cheek turn pale and considers it a success. The reaction to the results of their scientific work is the main difference between Aylmer and Dr. Frankenstein.
On the other hand, Dr. Frankenstein puts these Aylmer plans into action and decides to create and revive a human. His goal is grander than that of the Hawthorne character. Moreover, in the novel, one can see how Victor turns from a child with “an eager desire to learn” into a cruel and selfish person (Shelley 32). Besides, achieving his goal does not bring Dr. Frankenstein no fun. He became disgusted with the Creature as soon as he finished working on it.
Furthermore, Victor refused to admit his creation’s imperfections and guilt for his actions. He allows his younger brother to be blamed for the murder, since Victor’s admission of guilt “would have been considered as the ravings of a madman” (Shelley 90). However, in the end, Dr. Frankenstein nevertheless decides to destroy his creation, realizing what kind of monster he created.
Conclusion
Thus, Dr. Frankenstein and Aylmer have a lot in common. Both are selfish scientists who do not think about the consequences of their actions for science. Moreover, each considers himself a misunderstood genius whose actions should have been directed for good. However, Aylmer is pleased with his experiment’s results, and his wife’s death seems to him an acceptable sacrifice for science. On the other hand, Victor feels disgusted for the Creature and decides to destroy it, though he does not admit his guilt for the monster’s deeds.
Works Cited
Hawthorn, Nathaniel. “The Birthmark.” The Literature Network. Web.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Planet eBook, 1818. Web.