In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Birthmark, Aylmer appears to be Hawthorne's version of Victor Frankenstein. From their similar educational backgrounds (both read Magnus, Agrippa and Paracelsus) to their even more identical attitudes on life and technology, it seems as though we are looking into the very heart of Mary Shelley's novel, the only difference being that Nathaniel Hawthorne is the narrator.

Aylmer, just like Frankenstein, is obsessed with science and initially putting science into use for the good of mankind. Frankenstein pursues the discovery of the technology of life not for wealth, which he calls an "inferior object," but for the happiness that would ensue if he "could banish disease from the human frame and render man invulnerable to any but a violent death." (26) We see that Aylmer pursues the removal of his wife's birthmark with almost identical benevolent intentions, arguing that the removal of what he describes as "the visible mark of earthly imperfection" (2) will restore the perfect physical beauty of his wife. Just like Frankenstein, Aylmer was so confident in his science and technology that "he felt he could draw a magic circle round her, within which no evil might intrude." (6)

Yet we see in both cases that in the end, the technology which both of these men trust and believe in so much actually becomes their worst enemy, in actuality causes their ultimate failure as scientists, as lovers, and as human beings. Victor Frankenstein's overconfidence in his abilities causes his science to turn against him. By assuming what is the rightful role of God, Frankenstein has chosen to give life to a monster that is a reflection of his selfish self and therefore to give death to his family and friends. Although his intentions may have appeared to have been "good," they were in actuality just a mask he used to give himself the chance to be the creator, to play God. Aylmer also refuses to see past his own selfish desires and his own pride in his technology and science. As a result, his science does indeed triumph over the birthmark, but at the cost of his heart, his soul and indeed the true source of happiness -- his wife. Both Frankenstein and Aylmer choose to follow their obsessions, but in doing so, choose a life of technology over a life that is truly human.


Jay R

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Bantam, 1981.

Eldred, Eric. "The Birthmark, from Mosses from an Old Manse, 1854." World Wide Web. 29
May 1996. Available: http://eldred.ne.mediaone.net/nh/bm.html