The Birthmark

Critical Analysis Outline 2A (CAO2A) Hawthorne’s The Birthmark For Part A of CA2, you will write a critical analysis that explains how Georgiana represents the Romanticism movement and Aylmer represents the Enlightenment movement. For the Georgiana discussion, you should identify (explain and support) at least two characteristics from each of the following areas of Romanticism characteristics as defined in the lecture: subject matter, attitudes, and techniques (total of six characteristics). For the Aylmer discussion, you should identify (explain and support) five of the seven enlightenment characteristics. Complete the outline as detailed below. Topic Sentence (See CA related materials in Assignment Advice area): Enlightenment / Aylmer Concept 1: Explanations of how concept is apparent: Applicable quote to integrate into explanations above: Enlightenment / Aylmer Concept 2: Explanations of how concept is apparent: Applicable quote to integrate into explanations above: Enlightenment / Aylmer Concept 3: Explanations of how concept is apparent: Applicable quote to integrate into explanations above: Enlightenment / Aylmer Concept 4: Explanations of how concept is apparent: Applicable quote to integrate into explanations above: Enlightenment / Aylmer Concept 5: Explanations of how concept is apparent: Applicable quote to integrate into explanations above: Romanticism (subject matter) / Georgiana Concept 1: Explanations of how concept is apparent: Applicable quote to integrate into explanations above: Romanticism (subject matter) / Georgiana Concept 2: Explanations of how concept is apparent: Applicable quote to integrate into explanations above: Romanticism (attitudes) / Georgiana Concept 1: Explanations of how concept is apparent: Applicable quote to integrate into explanations above: Romanticism (attitudes) / Georgiana Concept 2: Explanations of how concept is apparent: Applicable quote to integrate into explanations above: Romanticism (techniques) / Georgiana Concept 1: Explanations of how concept is apparent: Applicable quote to integrate into explanations above: Romanticism (techniques) / Georgiana Concept 2: Explanations of how concept is apparent: Applicable quote to integrate into explanations above:
The Birthmark
The Birthmark is a romantic novel about two newlyweds, including Georgina and Aylmer. The novel explains critical themes such as enlightenment and romanticism. Romanticism represents the beautiful mark that symbolizes her humanity. Aylmer is enlightened with science more than he loves his wife by perceiving the birthmark as a fatal flaw. He insists that the birthmark on the cheek of his wife is what keeps her from being perfect. Georgina is upset by the comments since she believed Aylmer should love her for who she is. The story covers two major themes, including the enlightenment with science and the conflict between nature and science.
The main theme of the book describes the enlightenment that demonstrates the foolishness of striving for perfection. Aylmer believes that science can make her wife perfect and beautiful. Sadly, in the end, she dies, thus proving the efforts to make her beautiful were futile. For instance, Aylmer states that “…here is a powerful cosmetic. With a few drops of this in a vase of water, freckles may be washed away.” The comments from Aylmer indicate his enlightenment with science and disregard for the natural beauty of his wife.
Georgina’s birthmark demonstrates romanticism and the weaknesses of science to alter it. She sings with a powerful and melodious voice that is stronger compared to the scientific potions in his laboratory. Aylmer also prayed for her husband to no avail. The author notes that “with her whole spirit, she prayed that, for a single moment, she might satisfy his highest and deepest conception.” The inability of Aylmer with his scientific knowledge to prolong the life of his wife demonstrates the conflict between science and nature. Although Aylmer promises that the potion cannot fail, he does not keep his promise. The novel demonstrates that enlightenment with science ruined a marriage between Aylmer and Georgina, leaving a trail of the conflict between nature and science.