Criticism from "Women Beware Science: 'The Birthmark,'" by Judith Fetterley.
Work Cited:
Fetterley, Judith. "The Resisting Reader: A Feminist Approach to American Fiction." The Resisting Reader. MB-
247 (1978): 22-43. Journal of American Studies. Print.
Judith Fetterley argues in "The Resisting Reader: A Feminist Approach to American Fiction that Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, The Birthmark, is a commentary on feminism and the effect it can have on the women being subjected to a man's scrutiny. One of the biggest aspects of this story is Nathaniel Hawthorne's ambiguity as to whether his story has a moral that includes feminism. On one level, the story touches on sexual politics, and the powerlessness of women and the resulting psychology when women subjugate themselves to being viewed as an object to be perfected.
Nathaniel Hawthorne stresses that a woman's identity is defined by how men respond and react to them, saying, "It must not be concealed, however, that the impression wrought by this fairy sign manual varied exceedingly, according to the difference of temperament in the beholders." Those who love Georgiana see it as a mark of perfection and beauty, and to others it is a disgusting sight to behold. It is Aylmer's disdain for the birthmark that truly makes Georgiana blush and shy away. The birthmark's beauty or is in eye of the beholder, and Georgiana's attitude towards her most distinctive trait varies based on how those around her view it. Georgiana internalizes the attitudes of the man or men around her, showing how low a woman's self esteem can be made by the men in their lives.
Judith Fetterley says, "The Birthmark demonstrates the consequences to women of being trapped in the laboratory of man's mind, the object of unrelenting scrutiny, examination, and experimentation," (Fetterley 32). Since Aylmer's treatment of her is total disdain and horror, the result is continual self-consciousness that leads to a perpetual self-hatred that resulted in Georgiana's readiness potentially lose her life over one small mark. Judith Fetterley claims that Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Birthmark to be a commentary on feminism, and how the way women view themselves is directly affected by the way the men in their lives.
-Emily Lindsey
Fetterley, Judith. "The Resisting Reader: A Feminist Approach to American Fiction." The Resisting Reader. MB-
247 (1978): 22-43. Journal of American Studies. Print.
Judith Fetterley argues in "The Resisting Reader: A Feminist Approach to American Fiction that Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, The Birthmark, is a commentary on feminism and the effect it can have on the women being subjected to a man's scrutiny. One of the biggest aspects of this story is Nathaniel Hawthorne's ambiguity as to whether his story has a moral that includes feminism. On one level, the story touches on sexual politics, and the powerlessness of women and the resulting psychology when women subjugate themselves to being viewed as an object to be perfected.
Nathaniel Hawthorne stresses that a woman's identity is defined by how men respond and react to them, saying, "It must not be concealed, however, that the impression wrought by this fairy sign manual varied exceedingly, according to the difference of temperament in the beholders." Those who love Georgiana see it as a mark of perfection and beauty, and to others it is a disgusting sight to behold. It is Aylmer's disdain for the birthmark that truly makes Georgiana blush and shy away. The birthmark's beauty or is in eye of the beholder, and Georgiana's attitude towards her most distinctive trait varies based on how those around her view it. Georgiana internalizes the attitudes of the man or men around her, showing how low a woman's self esteem can be made by the men in their lives.
Judith Fetterley says, "The Birthmark demonstrates the consequences to women of being trapped in the laboratory of man's mind, the object of unrelenting scrutiny, examination, and experimentation," (Fetterley 32). Since Aylmer's treatment of her is total disdain and horror, the result is continual self-consciousness that leads to a perpetual self-hatred that resulted in Georgiana's readiness potentially lose her life over one small mark. Judith Fetterley claims that Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Birthmark to be a commentary on feminism, and how the way women view themselves is directly affected by the way the men in their lives.
-Emily Lindsey
Criticism from "The Gothic Influence on Short Fiction" by Elizabeth MacAndrew.
Works Cited:
MacAndrew, Elizabeth. "Gothic Influence on Short Fiction." 1993. Critical Survey of Short Fiction. Ed. Frank N. Magil.
Englewood Cliffs: Salem, 1981. 475-76. Print.
Elizabeth MacAndrew in “The Gothic Influence on Short Fiction” argues that The Birthmark embodies elements of gothic fiction.
- The gothic theme of being in a secluded environment is present in this story. Many prominent gothic writers used a setting apart from the rest of the world in order to heighten the ethereal sense of the story. Aylmer's locking up of Georgiana while he performs his experiments on her alter her perception of reality, and in a sense bend the very nature of the universe.
“…he encloses his beautiful wife and virtuous wife in a room from which the world in entirely shut out…” (475).
- Evil is represented in many ways in The Birthmark. Both Aylmer and Aminadab (his assistant) could be characterized as evil in the story. Aylmer is unintentionally and unconventionally evil, whereas Aminadab represents the base form of human nature. Grotesque in appearance, Aminadab is an allegory for what is generally perceived as evil in this world, in contrast to Aylmer. In the end, we the reader realize that Aylmer is the ultimate evil in the story, not the horrific-looking Aminadab.
“…a monstrous figure, as is Aylmer’s ugly assistant…” (476).
- Emily Fishman
MacAndrew, Elizabeth. "Gothic Influence on Short Fiction." 1993. Critical Survey of Short Fiction. Ed. Frank N. Magil.
Englewood Cliffs: Salem, 1981. 475-76. Print.
Elizabeth MacAndrew in “The Gothic Influence on Short Fiction” argues that The Birthmark embodies elements of gothic fiction.
- The gothic theme of being in a secluded environment is present in this story. Many prominent gothic writers used a setting apart from the rest of the world in order to heighten the ethereal sense of the story. Aylmer's locking up of Georgiana while he performs his experiments on her alter her perception of reality, and in a sense bend the very nature of the universe.
“…he encloses his beautiful wife and virtuous wife in a room from which the world in entirely shut out…” (475).
- Evil is represented in many ways in The Birthmark. Both Aylmer and Aminadab (his assistant) could be characterized as evil in the story. Aylmer is unintentionally and unconventionally evil, whereas Aminadab represents the base form of human nature. Grotesque in appearance, Aminadab is an allegory for what is generally perceived as evil in this world, in contrast to Aylmer. In the end, we the reader realize that Aylmer is the ultimate evil in the story, not the horrific-looking Aminadab.
“…a monstrous figure, as is Aylmer’s ugly assistant…” (476).
- Emily Fishman
Criticism from "'The Best That Earth Could Offer': "The Birthmark,' a Newlywed's Story" by Liz Rosenberg.
Works Cited:
Rosenberg, Liz. "'The Best That Earth Could Offer': "The Birthmark,' a Newlywed's Story." Studies in Short Fiction 30.2
(1993): 145-147. Gale Literature Resource Center. Web. 26 September 2012.
Liz Rosenberg in "'The Best That Earth Could Offer': 'The Birthmark,' a Newlywed's Story" explains a newlywed husband confronting the the flaws, imperfection, and mortality of his new wife.
- Aylmer is an idealist by nature and profession. Soon after his marriage, he becomes painstakingly aware of "'his wife's liability to sin, sorrow, decay and die' (39) symbolized by the tiny birthmark on her cheek." (145), with the constant reminder of imperfection permanently embedded in her very skin. There is a phase in a marriage where you can either accept a flaw, or attempt to correct it. Aylmer foolishly chooses the latter, and takes his pursuit of perfection in his new wife to a dangerous level.
- The inability to achieve the perfection he, and in consequence she, so desires tears Alymer and Georgiana apart,
"What Aylmer effects is not a marriage but his own wife's death, the ultimate divorce." (145). This further reveals how one's dissatisfaction, when pushed upon another, results in insecurities and depression.
-Anna Powell
Rosenberg, Liz. "'The Best That Earth Could Offer': "The Birthmark,' a Newlywed's Story." Studies in Short Fiction 30.2
(1993): 145-147. Gale Literature Resource Center. Web. 26 September 2012.
Liz Rosenberg in "'The Best That Earth Could Offer': 'The Birthmark,' a Newlywed's Story" explains a newlywed husband confronting the the flaws, imperfection, and mortality of his new wife.
- Aylmer is an idealist by nature and profession. Soon after his marriage, he becomes painstakingly aware of "'his wife's liability to sin, sorrow, decay and die' (39) symbolized by the tiny birthmark on her cheek." (145), with the constant reminder of imperfection permanently embedded in her very skin. There is a phase in a marriage where you can either accept a flaw, or attempt to correct it. Aylmer foolishly chooses the latter, and takes his pursuit of perfection in his new wife to a dangerous level.
- The inability to achieve the perfection he, and in consequence she, so desires tears Alymer and Georgiana apart,
"What Aylmer effects is not a marriage but his own wife's death, the ultimate divorce." (145). This further reveals how one's dissatisfaction, when pushed upon another, results in insecurities and depression.
-Anna Powell