Question

In “The Birthmark,” what does the birthmark represent for the two main characters, Aylmer and Georgiana? At the end of the story, what does the birthmark come to symbolize?

Answer 1

In “The Birthmark”, Aylmer and Georgiana has different views on the birthmark that Georgiana has. Aylmer sees Georgiana as perfect but the birthmark for Aylmer represents an imperfection. He says this to Georgiana, “No dear, Nature made you so perfectly that this small defect shocks me as being a sign of earthly imperfection”. Georgiana’s mark has made many people give it different meanings to it but for Georgiana, the mark represents a charm. Seeing as Aylmer is saying that the mark is an imperfection, Georgiana says to him, “The mark has so often been called a charm that I was simple enough to imagine it might be so.” At the end of the story, the birthmark came to symbolize that imperfection is part of being human and nothing can defy that, even science.

Answer 2

1. For Gergiana, the birthmark on her cheek with the shape of a hand, represents the idea of morality, this is translated in her constant seek of perfection and also finds the idea of imperfections as the human being nature.

For Aylmer, her birthmark represented her flaws and "liability to sin, sorrow, decay, and death," even though she never made anything sinful.

2. At the end of the story, her birthmark come to symbolize her good spirit and generosity instead of the symbol of death that Aylmer gave it