It is clear that the larger message of Hawthorne's story implies the dangers of "playing God." In the text he mentions Mother Nature's guarded pursuit to conceal her secrets (pg 652); that although man can attempt to unlock her mysteries, it will ultimately end in failure. This is the case with Alymer in his obsession to repair Georgiana's imperfection. He insists on ignoring the limitations of his science which proves foolish in the product of his wife's death. This man vs nature conflict alludes to nature's power over humanity and immortality. Earthly perfection cannot exist and more importantly, it is blasphemous to tamper with creation by "playing God."
In the text Georgiana becomes exceedingly more and more tortured by her birthmark: "Danger? There is but one danger—that this horrible stigma shall be left upon my cheek!” cried Georgiana. ‘Remove it, remove it, whatever the cost, or we shall both go mad” (657). What first appeared a “charm” in her eyes has become a curse. Explain Georgiana’s conflict, and why you think her attitude has changed from the beginning of the story.
In the time Hawthorne set the story, it was not unusual for women to have a subordinate attitude in their marriage. In the story Georgiana is so committed to her husband that she defines herself utterly through his vision of her. When he begins to find her birthmark repulsive, she begins to believe she is hideous, even though she possesses a beauty comparable to that of Hiram Powers sculpture of Eve. As Alymer's disgust becomes unbearable, Georgiana too finds life unbearable: "life is a burden which I would fling down with joy. Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life!" (651).
In the opening paragraph Hawthorne describes the character of Aylmer as “a man of science.” Reread this paragraph and explain how Aylmer’s unrivaled passion for science sets the tone for the story (think in terms of Aylmer’s internal conflict with his science vs. his wife).
To provide some background to this question, science and philosophy were both gaining momentum in the mid 1800's with the rise of the scientific theory. There is an obvious tug of war between the world of science and the spiritual world in Hawthorne's story. In the beginning paragraph Alymer is described as "too unreservedly devoted to scientific studies ever to be weaned from them by any second passion." One scholar stated it perfectly: "Alymer seeks to unfold the secrets of the natural world, and no only know he mechanism of its power, but in fact harness it and become a creator himself. He's guilty of what Hawthorne sees as two problems in the scientific world around him: the desire to play God, and a blinding faith in science." The conclusion of the story shows that his passion for his science triumphed over that of his wife, but it was also his wife that "led [him] deeper than ever into the heart of science" (651). So ultimately his wife provoked this fatal tragedy.
Georgiana’s birthmark seems to have a metaphorical function. What do you see as the significance of the “crimson hand”?
Geogiana's birthmark symbolically represents her humanity. The shape of her birthmark, a crimson hand, is described as " the bond by which an angelic spirit kept itself in union with a mortal frame" (659). Because her beauty transcended what was humanely comprehended, her birthmark was the only thing that defined her humanity. It was the one flaw that made her countenance "imperfect."
Aminadab is a name that represents an early figure in the Book of Genesis. Why do you think Hawthorne gave this character this name? How is Aminadab portrayed in the story? Why do you think he laughs at the end?
According to the book of Genesis, Aminadab is a high priest. Hawthorne's description of the character leads us to believe he symbolizes man's earthly, physical half, whereas Alymer symbolizes man's lofty, spiritual half. The distinction shows the difference in opinion about science, reason, and logic. Alymers blindly places all his trust in his experiments, whereas Aminadab knows this is a foolish venture. Although Aminadab is Alymer's servant, his view on Alymer's overambitious scheme to "perfect" his wife proves to triumph.
Within the story are many indicative signs. Are there any clues or hints throughout the story that allow you to foreshadow the ending? If so, what are they?
Alymer's dream is a huge foreshadowing of the concluding event. When Alymer attempts of cut out the birthmark, it sinks deeper into Geogiana's being till it reaches her heart, where Alymer is resolved to continue to cut away at. This dream obviously represents Geogiana's coming death.
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