The story’s beginning is devoted to the central themes, portraying a scene of pervasive attempts of scientists to control nature via scientific discoveries. Aylmer is the protagonist who cannot decide whether to immerse himself in the scientific world or keep being slightly aloof. He is obsessed with science, but he hardly manages to juggle between his marriage and his scientific passion. Aylmer is a witness of the time of great scientific experiments and inventions; scientists are decisive that they are the creators of life, believing that they are eligible to run this world using their unbelievable creations. The main character decides to exchange his passion for science with his marriage, asserting it is the right path to follow. “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a telling example of how a person can lose their mind while chasing perfection.
Aylmer is a person who is anxious for science, longing for perfection, and flawlessness. It is a significant feature of scientists who lose their hearts in their fantasies. Hennessy (2013) claims that Aylmer’s mind will be forever perusing and requiring something newer and more perfect. For this very reason, he puts his beautiful wife under the knife to remove a small birthmark on her cheek. He wants his wife to cover the blemishes on her pretty face and resorts to the surgery that kills her.
“The Birthmark” is the representation of people’s major anxiety for scientific discoveries back then. Following their dreams and fantasies, willing to create immaculate inventions, scientists were ready to put everything at stake to achieve the desired effect. It was a case of worshipping the scientific world where talented individuals were literary blind and obsessed with new technologies. Aylmer’s example presents a story where longing for perfection overweighs the admiration for the beloved wife.
Reference
Hennessy, D. (2013). Classics of American Literature. Volume one. eBook.