How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
We know not whether Aylmer possessed this degree of faith in man's ultimate control over Nature. (1)
This is such an interesting line, because the narrator confesses that he is in fact ignorant of all the facts. It's odd, because for most of the narrative he maintains omniscience, with access to both Aylmer and Georgiana's thoughts. It's possible that Hawthorne is making a point about the extent of human knowledge.
Quote #2
It was the fatal flaw of humanity which Nature, in one shape or another, stamps ineffaceably on all her productions, either to imply that they are temporary and finite, or that their perfection must be wrought by toil and pain. (8)
This passage suggests that Aylmer's disgust with the birthmark is rooted in his own sense of competition with Nature for the ability to create. Nature seems to be flaunting its own prowess at him through the birthmark.
Quote #3
It needed but a glance with the peculiar expression that his face often wore to change the roses of her cheek into a deathlike paleness, amid which the crimson hand was brought strongly out, like a bass-relief of ruby on the whitest marble. (9)
Consider this and the other similes, metaphors, or images that Hawthorne uses to describe Georgiana's birthmark. Together, what do these various images provide as to the reader's impression of the mark?
Quote #4
The mind is in a sad state when Sleep, the all-involving, cannot confine her spectres within the dim region of her sway, but suffers them to break forth, affrighting this actual life with secrets that perchance belong to a deeper one. (14)
Hawthorne seems to have firm ideas about what belongs to the realm of man and what is beyond the scene of his knowledge or possession. This passage is a mini-version of the larger theme at play here in "The Birthmark."
Quote #5
"It may be the stain goes as deep as life itself." (16)
Georgiana's line is well-fitting, with Aylmer's interpretation of the mark as a symbol of man's imperfection. On some level, both of these characters understand the symbolic meaning of Hawthorne's intended parable.
Quote #6
"Fear not, dearest!'' exclaimed he. "Do not shrink from me! Believe me, Georgiana, I even rejoice in this single imperfection, since it will be such a rapture to remove it.'' (31)
Perhaps Aylmer is more interested in the removal of the birthmark as a scientific endeavor, rather than as a matter of perfecting his wife. He's certainly enjoying the chance to delve back into his semi-abandoned scientific career, and of course to rival Nature for a chance at being a creator.
Quote #7
At the mention of the birthmark, Georgiana, as usual, shrank as if a red-hot iron had touched her cheek. (42)
Even without performing his experiment on Georgiana, Aylmer already has a great deal of control over his wife. Consider also the power he has over Aminadab. He need not compete with Nature to hold sway over others.
Quote #8
Aylmer reappeared and proposed that she should now examine his cabinet of chemical products and natural treasures of the earth. (47)
This is an interesting line because it raises the question what is natural and what is a perversion of nature in "The Birthmark." Is Aylmer necessarily working against Nature, or is he just using natural elements for his own purposes?
Quote #9
Aylmer raised his eyes hastily, and at first reddened, then grew paler than ever, on beholding Georgiana. He rushed towards her and seized her arm with a gripe that left the print of his fingers upon it. (62)
Ah – just like Nature left a hand-print on Georgiana's cheek, so now Aylmer leaves his mark on her arm.