Obsession in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Birthmark :: Birthmark Essays

Scientific research concerning living organisims is usually beneficial. Most medical practices are beneficial they are done to cure people from unsoundness and to save peoples lives. The only time when science borders on going too far is when it is used to alter people or animals -- for instance changing the genes of a fly to give it eyes on its legs. Making mutants like that violates the sanctity of life, and although it is condonable for research with flies, to do something similar to humans would be beyond comprehension. It is clear that Hawthorne does non look favorably upon manipulating humans with science. He is especially wary about using science to try to make things worse Do not aby that with so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the earth could offer. ... I am dying says Chillingworth wife after she is cured of her birthmark, a large brown mole on the upper left side of her right offshoot. Chillingworth feels that this experime nt is justified because his wife is nowhere near perfect, withstanding the birthmark. ...upon another arm perhaps it might, but ... you came so hideous 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. If she hadnt been so close to detestment, he would not have minded the birthmark, but because she is otherwise beastly, the birthmark stands out. Significant is the use of the contrive earthly imperfection, which hints at Hawthornes theme. By removing Georgianas earthly imperfection, Chillingworth is playing God. It is hard to say whether it was justified in my opinion, even if the experiment had succeeded. If I upshot the story literally, and put myself in one of their positions, it might be. But I dont think that this is what Hawthorne wants us to be concerned with he wants to show us why it is wrong to try to change nature with sc ience. Hawthornes theme of tampering with nature can easily be applied to society.