Question

We note that the birthmark is "___" with Georgiana's countenance, which means symbolically that man's flaws and very much ____ and in fact cannot be separated out. It's also foreshadowing as to the story's ending; we know from the start that Aylmer is a fool to think he can rid her of something so deeply engrained in her face (literally) and character (symbolically).

A) Incongruous, permanently
B) Harmonious, insignificant
C) Ephemeral, avoidable
D) Irrelevant, separable

Answer 1

The birthmark on Georgiana's face is incongruous with her countenance and symbolically represents the permanent flaws inherent in humanity, which cannot be separated without serious repercussions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to the fill-in-the-blank question regarding the symbolic meaning of the birthmark on Georgiana's countenance in Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story The Birthmark is option A) Incongruous, permanently. This means that the birthmark is starkly different or out of place with Georgiana's otherwise beautiful appearance, symbolizing the inherent flaws within human beings that are a permanent part of their existence and cannot be removed without dire consequences, as Aylmer tragically discovers by the end of the story. This birthmark, deeply intertwined with both Georgiana's physical and character traits, is a foreshadowing element, demonstrating the futility of trying to achieve perfection and the danger in attempting to alter nature.