The Archetypal/Jungian/Myth Criticism in "The Birth Mark"

Literary Analysis

A Handful of Imperfection

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, "The Birth Mark", the reoccurring theme of humanity's constant need for perfection can always be seen. However, the use of the archetypal/Jungian/myth criticism can vastly improve one's understanding of the characters, theme, and the entire short story. For example, Aylmer constantly sees his wife's birth mark as a symbol of complete imperfection, and thinks, "Seeing her otherwise so perfect, he found this one defect grow more and more intolerable with every moment of their united lives. It was the fatal flaw of humanity which Nature, in one shape or another, stamps ineffaceably on all her productions, either to imply that they are temporary or finite, or that their perfection must be wrought by toil and pain" (342). When the words, "perfect", "fatal flaw", and "defect" are used to describe Aylmer's wife, Georgiana, the reader can infer that a main theme of the story will be about perfection and the flaws humans have (342). These words that insult Georgiana's perfection reveal Aylmer's disappointment towards her. Ideas of perfection and flaws are also common archetypes used in literature. The hunt for flawlessness reoccurs in many, many pieces of literature, and knowledge of this archetype can give the reader insight regarding the main theme of the story. Furthermore, when Aylmer is confronting his wife about her birth mark, he says, "'O, do not tremble my love,' said her husband. 'I would not wrong either you or myself by working on such inharmonious effects upon our lives; but I would have you consider how trifling, in comparison, is the skill requisite to remove this little hand." At the mention of the birth-mark, Georgiana, as usual, shrank as if a red-hot iron had touched her cheek." (346). Aylmer is shown trying to change something about Georgiana. Since change often has a negative connotation, the reader can see that Aylmer's constant want for things to be unnecessarily better is bad. When Georgiana "shrank as if a red-hot iron had touched her cheek" (346), the strong words used to describe her reaction display her fear of this subject that Aylmer has constantly pounded her with. Aylmer also reflects the common archetype of a man who is never satisfied with what he has. This is shown though his constant want for unneeded change. Knowledge of this common archetype can help the reader understand Aylmer's goals and personality on a deeper level. Finally, when Georgiana agrees to getting her birth mark removed, she says, "'Aylmer,' resumed Georgiana, solemnly, 'I know not what may be the cost to both of us to rid me of this fatal birth-mark. Perhaps its removal may cause cureless deformity; or it may be the stain goes as deep as life itself. Again: do we know that there is a possibility, on any terms, of unclasping the firm gripe of this little hand which was laid upon me before I came into the world?" (343)? The use of the words, "cost", "may cause cureless deformity", and "stain" reveals how the removal of the birth mark will have costly, negative, permanent effects (343). The word "unclasping" (343) also connotes letting go of something, which is her birth mark. However, Georgiana's willingness and want to remove her birth mark shows the influence Aylmer has had on her. Originally, she reflects the archetype of a normal girl who wants to be herself. Now, Aylmer has changed her into the archetype of person who is never satisfied with how things are, just like himself. These archetypes reveal her transition from who she really is into who her husband wants her to be. Just like Georgiana, all of mankind experiences the heavy burden of attempting to be perfect in a society of high expectations. However, humans must not fall into the archetype of people who can never be satisfied.

Using the Archetypal/Jungian/Myth Criticism in "The Birth Mark"

Vocabulary Words

1. Countenance: A person’s face or facial expression; support

2. Votary: A person, such as a monk or nun, who has made vows of dedication to religious service

3. Congenial: Pleasant because of a personality, qualities, or interests that are similar to one’s own

4. Ailment: food or nourishment

5. Semblance: The outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different

6. Ineffaceably: Irremovable

7. Ineludible: Unavoidable or inescapable

8. Perchance: By some chance; perhaps

9. Toilsome: Involving hard or tedious work

10. Ephemeral: Lasting for a very short time

In "The Birth Mark", a common theme is humanity's unnecessary want for perfection. However, to understand this, you can use the Archetypal/Jungian/Myth Criticism. For example, the quote, "No dearest Georgiana, you came so nearly perfect from the hand of Nature, that this slightest possible defect, which we hesitate whether to term a defect or a beauty, shocks me, as being the visible mark of earthly imperfection" (341), displays multiple archetypes. Georgiana, who has the "imperfect" birth mark, is seen as a normal girl who wants to be herself (a common archetype). The narrator, which is Mr. Aylmer, is the archetype of a man who wants more out of things (which in this case is his wife) and isn't satisfied with what he has. The main theme of "The Birth Mark" is striving for perfection, which is also a common archetype in literature. As you can see, having knowledge of archetypes can help the reader understand the themes and characters.

Video

What is the

Archetypal/Jungian/Myth Criticism?

Literature Response

Question: How can you relate to Georgiana as an archetype of the average person being pressured by society? Has anyone ever tried to manipulate you into something/someone you didn’t want to do/be?

Nate's Response

Reagan's Response

Harley's Response

Being a teen nowadays is much different than some generations in earlier years. Many people I know in and out of school feel the majority of stress in their life come from their school systems and social life. Even though I enjoy going to a prestigious school such as Chaminade, I often feel like I won’t live up to the expectations that my peers, parents, and teachers have for me. This affects the way I act everyday. In a way, it makes me try harder to please people and put more effort into things which can be beneficial at times. The competitiveness there is in high school for good grades, a role in a school play, a spot on a team, and especially the competition for colleges. Although this may put me on my “A game” sometimes, it also is very stressful just thinking about my future and what I am going to do with my life. There are many instances where I have been pressured into either trying out for a sport I don’t want to play, taking a class just because it looks good for colleges, and working for something I never wanted in the first place but I was told to do.

Georgina’s position of being victimized by her husband over not being perfect is an insecurity or problem for most in our society in this generation. Often as humans we find or have a model of perfection already placed in our mind to compare others to. Usually clear skin, skinny, tan, social, nice, good hair, tall, or “ripped”, but if one has all of these things except for one the image of perfection can’t be reached. In Georgina’s case her birthmark is her flaw. The birthmark is what makes the possibility of perfection for her impossible to reach. I can relate to Georgina in the way that I have or see flaws in myself that automatically make me feel imperfect. In other words, the image of perfection in my head is not a match to my reflection. Directly no one has attempted to manipulate me into being someone I didn’t want to be, but subconsciously I have convinced myself into to doing something or being someone I’m not because of the belief that it would make someone like me more. To the extreme, most think of people manipulating someone into doing drugs, but there are many other ways that are much more common. For example, yes someone has tried manipulating me into playing one sport over the other just because they saw it as choosing them over the other. Peer pressure is a major conflict in our community, especially in our current generation.

The theme of wanting to be perfect in the Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne can be related to by people of all ages. There are many times I have felt pressured to be perfect by the people around me and myself so I can feel good around myself. I have taken on the role of an Archetypal Character of an average young adult almost every day of my life. Like when my friends pressure me to be the guy they want me to be or to just try to be someone that I am not. There will also always be people trying to get you to do drugs or alcohol which would also fit in with this archetypal character because most young adults are peer pressured into doing these things. I know this is a relatable topic for many kids, teens, and young adults because there are and always will be people trying to change who you are and make you a different person than who you want to be and there will always be stories written about kids who are this age and they will also be based off the same archetypal character that I am.

Jonathan's Response

Joey's Response

In the story, “The Birth-Mark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the character Georgina is subject to humanity’s incompetent tussle for perfection by her husband. This idea of perfection is directly correlated to the average person’s struggle for maintaining the standards and expectations put ahead for them. Especially in this time of transition, high expectations can be hard to hit, along with trying to do the things that make you happy. Many can often feel a ridiculous amount of stress and anxiety due to these anticipations for high success. As I am in all honors classes, I often feel the increased work load and difficulty compared to the work done in middle school. This difficult work can take me away from my true self and put me in a stressful and uninviting situation. Rather than running or spending time with friends and family, I am put into a position of reaching expectations that can sometimes feel like climbing to the top of Mount Everest. Commonly in older high schoolers, the presence of looking good for college has become an issue. Most people like myself want to go to a good college and receive an education that is worth all the work put towards it. Some people already have an idea of what they want to do in life and where they want to go. Though others, including myself, are not ready to consider those possibilities of the future. Some people want me to take up a job deemed higher by society, but I still am unsure of where I am going with only a basic idea. In the end, no single person is perfect, and expectations should not change what a person becomes.

Since my early childhood, I have always been pressured to be the best person at school, sports, social skills, and everything overall. Although I am not saying that trying to be the best is bad, but too much pressure and stress can actually make things worse, as they did for me. Early on, I was constantly told by my parents to be the absolute best. Being 5th or even 2nd place wasn’t good enough. However, both my parents and I soon realized that the stress was starting to take a toll on me. I couldn’t focus as much, I didn’t put much effort into work, and I lost hope in being the “best” person. However, the learned to back off a little bit, and soon, I was doing much better in school, sports, and my personality. My experience is very similar to what Georgiana goes through in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, “The Birth Mark”. Georgiana is “cursed” with a hand shaped birth mark that will not stop bothering her husband, Mr. Aylmer. She tries to become better and live up to Aylmer’s expectation, but she can never reach them. Aylmer just wants more from something that has nothing left, which is similar to my experiences. Yes, people have tried to manipulate me into something I am not before. For example, in elementary school, classmates would always try to make me do things I wasn’t comfortable with or didn’t think was safe. Although I wanted to fit in more, I followed my instincts and did what I wanted to do. Now, I know that only I know what is best for me, and if somebody tries to make me into something I am not, I must always trust myself to be who I want to be.

• Influenced by Carl Gustav Jung and Northrop Frye
• All humans have universal patterns and themes, called archetypes
• Archetypes include the classic hero archetype, the great mother archetype, and much more
• This criticism has been used to study folklore and early literature
• We can look into universal consciousness and use archetypes and ancient myths to understand literature

The End

Hope you enjoyed!

The Archetypal/Jungian/Myth Criticism in "The Birth Mark"

Multiple Choice Quiz

2. What does the birthmark symbolize?

a. Imperfection

b. Perfection

c. A past memory

d. Love

1. What was the shape of the birth mark?

a. Circle

b. Red hand

c. Line

d. Crimson hand

3. What is the conflict of the story?

a. The birthmark ends the wife’s modeling career

b. Man cannot look passed the simple and single imperfection of his wife

c. Birthmark is a curse given to her preventing anyone from loving her

d. A and C

5. “He had fancied himself with his servant Aminadab attempting an operation for the removal of the birth-mark; but the deeper went the knife, the deeper sank the hand, until at length its tiny grasp appeared to have caught hold of Georgiana’s heart.” (343) In this passage, Aylmer attempts to remove the imperfection but fails, what does this symbolize?

a. It is more painful to attempt removing your imperfections than living with them

b. Imperfections must be lived with, trying to remove them only causes more

c. Fear

d. A and B

4. Where was the birthmark located?

a. Her right cheek

b. Her left cheek

c. The middle of her forehead

d. Her chin

2. A: imperfection

1. D: crimson hand

3. B: man can not look passed the simple and single imperfection of his wife

4. B: left check

5. D: A and B

Answers

6. The scientist is a man of reason and intellect.

a. True

b. False

10. Aylmer convinces Georgiana she is ugly with the birthmark.

a. True

b. False

9. What had Georgiana’s birthmark been called by her ex-lovers?

a. An angel kiss

b. A fairy hand print

c. A birth defect

d. A cut

7. The “hand” remains noticeable all the time.

a. True

b. False

8. What can the word-play in “crimson hand” be interpreted as?

a. The devil

b. A brick wall

c. Blood

d. Reaching for something

10. A: True

9. B: a fairy hand print

8. A: the devil

6. A: True

7. B: False

Paragraph Prompt: What in society do you think the characters represent and why? Why do the characters begin to obsess over that makes them generic girl characters. Use quotes from the text to support your answer.

Paragraph Prompt

Jonathan Huang, Joey Spindler, Reagan Raat, Harley Graham, Nate Brady

Mr. Williamson

Honors Literature and Composition

6 November 2015