Final answer:
Aylmer's love for Georgiana competes with his obsession with alchemy and his dedication to scientific research. He is consumed by his desire to perfect nature, particularly through his efforts to remove Georgiana's birthmark. This pursuit represents his broader fascination with scientific understanding and manipulation. (Option a).
Step-by-step explanation:
The obsession that competes with Aylmer's love for Georgiana is a) His fascination with alchemy. Within the story, Aylmer is depicted as a man whose love for his wife is intertwined with his pursuit of scientific knowledge, especially in the realm of alchemy and the quest for ultimate control over nature's imperfections. He goes to great lengths in his scientific experimentation, driven by his desire to achieve perfection, as exemplified in his endeavor to remove Georgiana's birthmark, which he sees as a flaw in her otherwise perfect appearance.
His dedication to scientific research and the pursuit of the alchemical transformation are also highlighted, suggesting a broader preoccupation with understanding and manipulating the natural world. Thus, Aylmer's love for Georgiana is challenged by his relentless and ultimately tragic pursuit of perfection through science and alchemy.