Introduction
The protagonists of the short story “The Birthmark” are Aylmer and Georgiana, a married couple. Eminent researcher Aylmer spent his whole existence working on his research and findings. Georgiana is a stunning woman with a distinctive mark on her left cheek and a heavier crimson color (Hawthorne 2). The key cause of the duo’s disagreement is Georgiana’s mark, which she thinks is attractive and distinguishing, whereas Aylmer sees it as disgusting.
Over the entire narrative, Aylmer’s fixation on Georgiana’s mark of birth being removed is evident. Rather than lauding someone for their distinctive and exquisite qualities, the tale exemplifies the insatiable search for perfection. The short story “The Birthmark” has several instances of male and female disparities in power that help to highlight racism, culture, gender, class, and Marxist and feminist themes.
Sociological Analysis of the Short Story
Race
The ambition to promote the dominant white race and Aylmer’s urge to remove Georgiana’s birthmark represent the 19th-century white worry over miscegenation. In the opening lines of “The Birthmark,” Aylmer informs Georgiana that the mark on her face is a flaw and an outward sign of imperfection in the material world (Hawthorne 1). His statement implies that Georgiana’s blemish detracts from her physical appeal since it dilutes her whiteness.
It notably tells how the reporter describes the mark as a red stain on the white powder. The term “stain” and the idea of a spotless face being associated with whiteness are both strongly evocative of racism (Childs 380). Georgiana’s birthmark puts her purity in danger and her future children’s whiteness in danger.
Social Conflict
Aylmer and Georgiana’s struggles are an example of a traditional Marxist conflict. Marxism views social conflict as a battle between afflicted and perpetrator classes (Lerche and Shah 928). The aggressor in “The Birthmark” is Aylmer, while the afflicted is Georgiana. By using phrases like “No, it must be,” Almer makes it clear that he serves as the master in this tale (Hawthorne 10).
Despite his affection for Georgiana, he is a man of his word and does as he pleases concerning her. Since it conveys that all people have flaws, the story’s central symbol—Georgiana’s birthmark—is extremely important. Georgiana is repeatedly persuaded by Aylmer to alter her mind about herself; as a result, she begins to despise her birthmark and requests that he have it removed. Georgiana passes away after Aylmer eliminates the birthmark. This demonstrates the detrimental effects of oppressor dominance over the oppressed.
Feminism
Georgiana’s struggles in “The Birthmark” are typical of feminist issues. Georgiana initially does not mind her birthmark, but as time passes, her viewpoints and opinions start suppressing those of her spouse. Her spouse oppresses her, and she feels excluded due to what appears to be a minor flaw (Hawthorne 10). Georgiana yields to Aylmer at the conclusion of the narrative, as she has been led to believe that she must do everything to win her husband’s approval. The birthmark emblem gains more significance due to Aylmer’s unhealthy masculinity since it illustrates how frequently males devalue women due to their defects and shortcomings.
Furthermore, instead of telling the story from Georgiana’s point of view, most of the narrative is delivered from Aylmer’s authoritarian perspective. This highlights the tyranny she experiences across the narrative. It is important to read this story through a feminist lens to comprehend fully how Aylmer oppresses Georgiana throughout the book. Birthmarks can be linked to contemporary problems women are dealing with by viewing them as symbols affected by male dominance.
Gender
“The Birthmark” examines the problems with male and female gender roles. Men were viewed at this period as having dominance and authority, while women were viewed as beautiful and submissive. Aylmer depicts a typical guy in “The Birthmark” via his profession, ability, domineering behavior toward Georgiana, and urge to establish himself. Aylmer has devoted his entire existence to science and is enthusiastic about it (Hawthorne 1).
On the other hand, Georgiana is only described as Aylmer’s wife and does not receive a title. This demonstrates that careers in this era, particularly those requiring science, are more often held by men. Autonomy, which is another word for independence, constitutes one of a conventional man’s key traits (Azza 93).
By having a job and being capable of catering to his family instead of relying on Georgiana for basic needs, Aylmer demonstrates his independence. Georgiana’s birthmark symbolizes the subjugation that many women have experienced throughout history and are still experiencing now. Aylmer tries to manage Georgiana’s looks and exert dominance over her.
Culture of Obsession
The birthmark stands for a culture that is fixated on perfection and tries to act like a god by altering what God has made. Aylmer sets out to remove the birthmark from his spouse’s face as he believes that by doing so, he could accomplish his ultimate scientific breakthrough. He thinks she will be perfect if he takes it out (Hawthorne 4).
Although most men are satisfied with their birthmarks, Aylmer finds it difficult to accept his due to his character, individuality, and conviction that science answers all problems. Georgina abandoned her views because of Aylmer’s culture of obsession; at the start of “The Birthmark,” Georgiana thinks her birthmark is a fortune and an enticement. The only result of Georgiana’s adherence to Aylmer’s negative interpretation of nature is the loss of her own identity.
Class
Georgiana is portrayed as a middle-class woman in “The Birthmark.” This is because her status within the family was comparable to that of women in the 19th century. Women’s options were confined to marriage, and they were expected to be devoted, attractive, delicate, and obedient (Qabaha 2). In “The Birthmark,” Georgiana sought to appease her spouse, Aylmer, by removing the birthmark from her left cheek (Hawthorne 4).
Women from the middle strata were viewed as knowledgeable; Georgiana read Aylmer’s notebook, which was filled with his scientific investigations. Georgiana’s polished metal image is more evidence that Aylmer and Georgiana belong to the middle class. The daguerreotype picture exemplified how the middle class appropriated noble self-expression and demonstrated their growing cultural influence (Cacchione and Waski 101). Due to the location of the metallic portrait in the narrative and the characterization of the boudoir, Aylmer is identified as a middle-class individual who aspires to retain his heritage in the era.
Conclusion
When debating Marxist, feminist, and other sociological issues, “The Birthmark” is a crucial tale to consider. The birthmark imagery is used repeatedly to highlight how significant the symbol is. The idea of the white race is depicted as something Aylmer wishes to eradicate for his bride to attain perfect whiteness. Gender norms in this era tend to associate men with strength and authority and women with obedient beauty. The differences in gender roles serve as an example of feminist and Marxist concerns.
The short story also shows a culture of obsession that causes people to lose vital ideals. The actions of Georgina and Aylmer across the short narrative illustrate the issue of class. These sociological perspectives demonstrate that since people are fallible, they cannot produce perfection.
Works Cited
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Childs, Erica Chito. “Critical Mixed Race in Global Perspective: An Introduction.” Journal of Intercultural Studies, vol. 39, no. 4, 2018, pp. 379–381. Web.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Birthmark. 1843.
Lerche, Jens, and Alpa Shah. “Conjugated Oppression within Contemporary Capitalism: Class, Caste, Tribe and Agrarian Change in India.” The Journal of Peasant Studies, vol. 45, no. 5-6, 2018, pp. 927–949. Web.
Qabaha, Dr. Ahmad. “Corporeal Crisis and the Contested Female Terrain: An Ecofeminist Reading of ‘the Birth-Mark.’” American Research Journal of English and Literature, vol. 7, no. 1, 2021, pp. 1–6. Web.