Student Question

What does Georgiana's birthmark symbolize and look like in "The Birthmark"? How is it perceived differently?

Quick answer:

In the story "The Birthmark" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the beautiful main character Georgiana has a crimson-colored birthmark on her cheek in the shape of a hand. Some view the mark as a positive addition to her beauty, while others think that it ruins her otherwise perfect looks. Her husband, Alymer, sees it as a horrible flaw. The birthmark itself represents the flaws and weaknesses of all humans, particularly humans' powerlessness against death.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Georgiana’s birthmark is explained as being in the center of her left cheek. The birthmark is crimson, which is a strong red color. What is especially notable is the fact that the birthmark is shaped like a tiny hand.

Hawthorne remarks that some people, especially women who were most likely jealous of Georgiana’s beauty, said that the birthmark looked “hideous.” He also explains that many men saw the birthmark as making Georgiana more beautiful. If men did not think the birthmark actually added to Georgiana's beauty, they simply ignored it, due to the fact that Georgiana’s beauty was otherwise flawless. For example, Hawthorne states that “many a desperate swain would have risked life for the privilege of pressing his lips to the mysterious hand.”

Alymer, Georgiana’s husband, perceives the birthmark as the one thing that prevents Georgiana from being flawlessly beautiful. The mark obsesses him completely. He finds it so repulsive that it is the only thing that he sees when he looks at her.

Hawthorne points out that the birthmark represents “the fatal flaw of humanity.” This flaw symbolizes the way in which all people are imperfect, namely that they are filled with flaws, weaknesses, and the inability to stop their ultimate fates of death.

There are many different ways that you might perceive the birthmark. For example, you could see it as a positive addition to Georgiana’s beauty, comparable to how some people see freckles or tiny scars. You may also feel sorry for Georgiana due to her birthmark and the fact that the person who loved her most could not see her otherwise stunning beauty.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial