The Birthmark of Nathaniel Hawthorne In Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "The Birthmark", there are many views on the necessity of science and its advancements. Hawthorne's protagonist, Aylmer, illustrates his personal assessment of science. The story is based on the idea that science can solve all of humanity's ills and problems. Hawthorne believes that science is taking over life. Aylmer is consumed by his passion to outdo Mother Nature. The story shows how Aylmer's passion leads not only to his downfall but also to that of his wife Georgiana. The belief that science can solve and do anything is an indication of ignorance because it totally ignores the human element of spirituality. The idea of ​​hubris, which is a Greek word meaning excessive pride of a mortal who believes he is on the level of the gods, is very evident in the story. In ancient Greek myths, the gods usually punished those who acted arrogantly. Aylmer himself believes he is on the level of the gods. This is shown in the passage “Aylmer possessed this degree of faith in man's ultimate control over Nature” (44). Aylmer's arrogant belief that he can triumph over Nature can be found when he and Georgiana talk about the removal of the birthmark: "'what will be my triumph when I have corrected what Nature has left imperfect in her fairest work'" (47 ). Towards the end Aylmer is so sure that he has beaten Nature that he mocks her: "'Ah clod! ah, Earthly Mass'" (55). This shows Aylmer's arrogance because it shows that he believes he is the Creator. Aylmer's delusions of grandeur are squashed in the end when Georgiana dies. He is, so to speak, cast down by the gods. In the pursuit of scientific discovery, Hawthorne rai... middle of paper... ssful! You are perfect" (55). This perfectly demonstrates that although science can fix something, it cannot understand that it is fixing. Will science and the further development of technology be enough to take the place of Nature? the human mind? Hawthorne leaves these open questions for the reader to ponder. Perhaps it is the sheer simplicity of life that Aminadab suggests in the story that will lead humanity to true happiness and inevitably destroy his own spirit through the death of his wife Georgiana “Alas! It was too true! The fatal hand grappled with the mystery of life, and was the bond by which an angelic spirit held itself in union with a mortal frame" (55). Bibliography: Short story "The Birthmark" by Nathaniel Hawthorne