How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
He had devoted himself, however, too unreservedly to scientific studies ever to be weaned from them by any second passion. (1)
What does this tell us, then, about the nature of Aylmer's feelings for his wife?
Quote #2
His love for his young wife might prove the stronger of the two; but it could only be by intertwining itself with his love of science, and uniting the strength of the latter to his own. (1)
Perhaps this is the reason that Aylmer attempts to remove his wife's birthmark; not because of an obsession with perfection, but because in this way he can unite his love for his wife with his love for science into one obsessive project.
Quote #3
Such a union accordingly took place, and was attended with truly remarkable consequences and a deeply impressive moral. (2)
This is an interest line because the word "union" takes on multiple meanings. On one level, the word refers to the marriage between Aylmer and Georgiana. But on another level, this is the union of Aylmer's love for science and for his wife, as suggested by the preceding paragraph.
Quote #4
In the usual state of her complexion — a healthy though delicate bloom — the mark wore a tint of deeper crimson, which imperfectly defined its shape amid the surrounding rosiness. When she blushed it gradually became more indistinct, and finally vanished amid the triumphant rush of blood that bathed the whole cheek with its brilliant glow. (7)
This supports the claim that Georgiana's birthmark is related to her sexuality. Getting flushed is a sign of sexual arousal, and we see here that the birthmark's visibility fluctuates with the rush of blood into her cheeks.
Quote #5
With the morning twilight Aylmer opened his eyes upon his wife's face and recognized the symbol of imperfection; and when they sat together at the evening hearth his eyes wandered stealthily to her cheek, and beheld, flickering with the blaze of the wood fire, the spectral hand that wrote mortality where he would fain have worshipped. (9)
Why does Aylmer need to worship his wife to love her? It seems as though he misunderstands both marriage and Georgiana's role as a wife and even as a person.
Quote #6
"Even Pygmalion, when his sculptured woman assumed life, felt not greater ecstasy than mine will be.'' (19)
Pygmalion is a figure from Greek mythology who sculpted his perfect woman out of ivory and fell in love with her. In one interpretation of "The Birthmark," it is significant in that Aylmer is in love with the idea of his own creation of Georgiana, not with Georgiana herself. He is in love with her in so far as he creates another, perfect image of her. In another, slightly more optimistic interpretation, we are meant to take Aylmer's love for Georgiana as genuine and world-altering – just like Pygmalion's was for his statue/wife.
Quote #7
Aylmer had converted those smoky, dingy, sombre rooms, where he had spent his brightest years in recondite pursuits, into a series of beautiful apartments not unfit to be the secluded abode of a lovely woman. (29)
What else is made "feminine" and what is deemed "masculine" in "The Birthmark"? What does Hawthorne have to say on the divide between the sexes?
Quote #8
In the intervals of study and chemical experiment he came to her flushed and exhausted, but seemed invigorated by her presence, and spoke in glowing language of the resources of his art. (39)
Look through "The Birthmark" and circle all the lines where Hawthorne describes the pallor or flush of Aylmer or Georgiana. What does Hawthorne mean to emphasize by this sort of repetition?
Quote #9
He conducted her back and took leave of her with a solemn tenderness which spoke far more than his words how much was now at stake. After his departure Georgiana became rapt in musings. She considered the character of Aylmer, and did it completer justice than at any previous moment. Her heart exulted, while it trembled, at his honorable love — so pure and lofty that it would accept nothing less than perfection nor miserably make itself contented with an earthlier nature than he had dreamed of. (72)
Does Hawthorne revere Georgiana's love for her husband as noble, or does he point out the foolishness of her obsession with pleasing Aylmer?