True Love Vs. Science In The Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne

True Love VS Science There are many people out there who get married for the wrong reasons, and the wrong time. The scientist Aylmer, in “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Married his wife at first for all the right reasons. Her name was Georgiana, she was born with a genetic birthmark on her face. It was in the shape of a small hand, many people liked it. Said to have shown her personality, and a figure that represents her. Aylmer a philosopher began to try and change his wife. What started out as a happy and wonderful marriage turned into a nightmare.

The marriage was based on a mystery. Making the argument if the husband actually loved his wife the way she is. Or does he love science and facts more? "Georgiana," said he, "has it never

He cannot see past his hand, he only sees what’s bothering him and the facts are bothering him. “"Aylmer," resumed Georgiana, solemnly, "I know not what may be the cost to both of us to rid me of this fatal birthmark. Perhaps its removal may cause Cureless deformity; or it may be the stain goes as deep as life itself.” (par. 16) Georgiana is trying to convince him to steer away from the subject, but I think it is a test to see who wins. Love or science, Making the argument that Aylmer doesn’t care enough about his wife’s feeling. I think that he only cares about himself and his science, a selfish, self-pleasing knows it all who will refuse to be proven wrong. He just wants to be right all the time and when he’s wrong, he doesn’t feel that he’s good enough. “Dearest Georgiana, I have spent much thought upon the subject," hastily interrupted Aylmer. "I am convinced of the perfect practicability of its removal."” (par. 17) Aylmer is a man who will refuse to be wrong and would come up with any way to prove her wrong. He wants to prove that he can do it, and that he has science to back him up and he doesn’t need anything

“"By Heaven! it is well-nigh gone!" said Aylmer, to himself, in almost irrepressible ecstasy. "I can scarcely trace it now. Success! success! And now it is like the faintest rose color. The lightest flush of blood across her cheek would overcome it. But she is so pale!"” (par. 72) “"Poor? Nay, richest, happiest, most favored!" exclaimed he. "My peerless bride, it is successful! You are perfect!"” (par. 74) He has done it, he has proven science and has proved that he can make her perfect. Consequently, in the process, he has destroyed his beautiful wife. “Aylmer, dearest Aylmer, I am dying!" (par. 77) In my opinion, he thinks he’s right, but in the process, he has lost his wife. Over the process of science, he has made himself feel better because in his mind he had fixed her he has made her perfect. Of course, there was nothing to fix in the first place. He had just killed his wife, but since he is so self-confident he doesn’t care. As long as he was right. The debate still continues does he love his wife or does he love himself? In light of what happened, I truly believe that at the beginning he did marry his beautiful wife for the right reason. Then when the time passed his background took over and I believe that he chose science, himself, over loving his wife. Therefore, proving that he clearly only loved her at the beginning and then the love