Imagery And Symbolism In The Birth-Mark By Nathaniel Hawthorne

In “The Birth-Mark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the most noticeable symbol is Georgiana’s birthmark on her cheek. Her birthmark is a tiny red spot on her cheek in the shape of a small hand. In the story it says, “some fairy at her birth-hour had laid her tiny hand upon the infant’s cheek” (340). At the beginning of the story Georgiana has grown so tired of the birthmark she says, “Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life!” (342). Aylmer, her husband the scientist, decides to take up the task of removing the birthmark. He tries a few different solutions, but none of them show any results. As a last effort, he decides to use his special concoction, which he believes will make the drinker immortal. After taking the solution the birthmark