Abstract This paper analyzes two works of literature that explore the destructive fascination for science and nature: Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Birthmark." It discusses the characters of Alymer and Frankenstein, both men of science, and how they are responsible for their fate.
Tags: Frankenstein, The Birthmark, Alymer, Hawthorne, Shelley, Prometheus
Abstract Discusses pacts made by two literary characters. Faustus in Christopher Marlowe's play "Dr. Faustus," and Alymer in Nathaniel Hawthorne's story "The Birthmark." Summary of both plots. Motivating forces of both characters. Comparison of Faustus and Alymer; their need to control their lives and world. Their pursuit of abolute knowledge. Their ultimate loss.
From the Paper "Introduction
The deals or pacts that are made to obtain the ultimate happiness are as new and recent as miracle creams sold on television to enhance beauty and health and as old as the Garden of Eden itself. This is a story retold in many forms about the price that is paid for what one considers may be the ultimate happiness. However, after one has paid that price, one suddenly realizes that the prize was not as great as what one gave up to obtain it. This is how it turns out when one makes bargains with the devil. This is also what happens to Dr. Faustus in Christopher Marlowe's play, as well as to Aylmer in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Birthmark". This paper will compare the two bargains made by the gentlemen in question, paying particular attention to the nature of the pacts made by the two of them."
Abstract The paper examines Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "The Birthmark", which explores a variety of paradoxes through its setting, characters, and plot. The paper discusses how Hawthorne uses these paradoxes to comment on deeper issues of humanity. In particular, "The Birthmark" highlights the contrasts between perfection and imperfection, real and artificial, and the earthly and the spiritual. The writer proposes that Hawthorne's overall point is that life must include paradox and opposition in order to make it worth living, that people are always struggling and attempting to change and improve things. Hawthorne suggests that this may be absolutely futile.
From the Paper "Alymer wants to control the earthly; he wants to manipulate and perfect it as scene through his own journal of his previous experiments. "In his grasp the veriest clod of earth assumed a soul" (Hawthorne 186). He wants to create something. Yet, he frequently fails. "It was the sad confession and continual exemplification of the shortcomings of the composite man, the spirit burdened with clay and working in matter, and of the despair that assails the higher nature at finding itself so miserably thwarted by the earthly part" (Hawthorne 186). Alymer is burdened and defeated by the earthly represented by both his wife and assistant. In the end, Georgiana's death is another example of his perpetual defeat. Aminadab, however, enjoys the defeat and chuckles to himself."
Abstract The paper examines Nathaniel Hawthorne's story "The Birthmark" and William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily." The paper analyzes and compares the feminine characters, Georgiana and Emily. The paper then discusses how the feminist theme in both stories connects these different personalities. The paper illustrates how the victimization of women at the hands of men is the common thread that ties both stories and helps us in studying the characters and their psyche.
From the Paper ""The Birthmark" is essentially a love story with a strong feminist streak. The only similarity that we can find in these two works comes from this feminist theme. On the surface "Birthmark" talks about obsession of a man with everything the world can offer. This is an interesting concept since the obsession is directly connected with chauvinistic desire to control a woman. In "The rose for Emily," the same feminist theme occurs in the form of Emily's father's desire to create a lady out of his daughter. Hawthorne and Faulkner's women are, however, different."
