Final answer:
The correct answer is option B. The primary symbol in Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Birthmark' is B) The birthmark, which represents human imperfection, mortality, and the dangerous obsession with perfection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary symbol in Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story 'The Birthmark' is B) The birthmark itself. This symbol represents the quest for perfection and the inherent flaws of humanity. The protagonist, Aylmer, an accomplished scientist, becomes obsessed with his wife Georgiana's small crimson hand-shaped birthmark. Despite the birthmark's charm to others, Aylmer sees it as a sign of imperfection and becomes fixated on its removal, ultimately prioritizing his obsession over the well-being of his wife.
The story highlights the dangers of excessive pride and the pursuit of absolute perfection, as Aylmer's fixation on the birthmark ultimately leads to tragic consequences. The birthmark stands as a metaphor for human mortality and the imperfections that are inherent in all of us, no matter how much we strive to overcome them through science or other means. The symbol serves as a critical element in Hawthorne's narrative, drawing attention to the high cost of human pride and the folly of trying to play God.
Therefore, the correct option is B) The birthmark, which encapsulates the central theme of Hawthorne's tale—the conflict between the acceptance of human imperfection and the dangerous desire to eliminate it.