In this analysis of the Birthmark it focuses on the symbols of the birthmark, the mirrors and the flower and how they represent the barriers of the earthly, sinful world and heaven. The elusiveness of perfection is the driving force behind Aylmer's need to remove Georgiana's birthmark. His quest for an unearthly perfection is crossing the barrier that he has no right to cross.
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2061159/1/Literary_Analysis_of_The_Birthmark
I had never thought that Hawthorne's use of mirrors as a wall decoration was symbolic for anything until I read this article, "Hawthorne's use of mirrors to remark on the soul is present when Georgiana looks into her reflection in a polished plate of metal. Georgiana found the "features of the portrait blurred and indefinable; while the minute figure of a hand appeared where the cheek should have been"
ReplyDeleteI don't really think the mirrors have too much symbolism. Yes, she does see the birthmark clearly and the rest not but that is what she is focused. The fact that no one can be perfect in earthly form and this birthmark resembles all earthly flaws and he wants to show that only death can bring perfection.
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