American Stories – Part 35

Transcript of the podcast

Our story today is called “The Birthmark.” It was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Here is Barbara Klein with the story

A long time ago, there lived a skillful scientist who had experienced a spiritual reaction more striking than any chemical one

He had left his laboratory in the care of his assistant, washed the chemicals from his hands and asked a beautiful woman to become his wife. In those days new scientific discoveries such as electricity seemed to open paths into the area of miracles. It was not unusual for the love of science to compete with the love of a woman

The scientist’s name was Aylmer. He had so totally given himself to scientific studies that he could not be weakened by a second love. His love for his young wife could only be the stronger of the two if it could link itself with his love of science

Such a union did take place with truly remarkable results. But one day, very soon after their marriage, Aylmer looked at his wife with a troubled expression

?Georgiana, he said, have you ever considered that the mark upon your cheek might be removed

No, she said smiling. But seeing the seriousness of his question, she said, The mark has so often been called a charm that I was simple enough to imagine it might be so

On another face it might, answered her husband, but not on yours. No dear, Nature made you so perfectly that this small defect shocks me as being a sign of earthly imperfection

Shocks you! cried Georgiana, deeply hurt. Her face reddened and she burst into tears. Then why did you marry me? You cannot love what shocks you

We must explain that in the center of Georgiana’s left cheek there was a mark, deep in her skin. The mark was usually a deep red color. When Georgiana blushed, the mark became less visible. But when she turned pale, there was the mark, like a red stain upon snow. The birthmark would come and go with the emotions in her heart

The mark was shaped like a very small human hand. Georgiana’s past lovers used to say that the hand of a magical fairy had touched her face when she was born. Many a gentleman would have risked his life for the honor of kissing that mysterious hand

But other people had different opinions. Some women said the red hand quite destroyed the effect of Georgiana’s beauty

Male observers who did not praise the mark simply wished it away so that they did not see it. After his marriage, Aylmer discovered that this was the case with himself

Had Georgiana been less beautiful, he might have felt his love increased by the prettiness of that little hand. But because she was otherwise so perfect, he found the mark had become unbearable

Aylmer saw the mark as a sign of his wife’s eventual sadness, sickness and death. Soon, the birthmark caused him more pain than Georgiana’s beauty had ever given him pleasure

During a period that should have been their happiest, Aylmer could only think of this disastrous subject. With the morning light, Aylmer opened his eyes upon his wife’s face and recognized the sign of imperfection. When they sat together in the evening near the fire, he would look at the mark

Georgiana soon began to fear his look. His expression would make her face go pale. And the birthmark would stand out like a red jewel on white stone

Do you remember, dear Aylmer, about the dream you had last night about this hateful mark? she asked with a weak smile

.None! None whatever! answered Aylmer, surprised

The mind is in a sad state when sleep cannot control its ghosts and allows them to break free with their secrets. Aylmer now remembered his dream. He had imagined himself with his assistant Aminadab trying to remove the birthmark with an operation. But the deeper his knife went, the deeper the small hand sank until it had caught hold of Georgiana’s heart

.Aylmer felt guilty remembering the dream

Aylmer, said Georgiana, I do not know what the cost would be to both of us to remove this birthmark. Removing it could deform my face or damage my health

Dearest Georgiana, I have spent much thought on the subject, said Aylmer. I am sure it can be removed

Then let the attempt be made at any risk, said Georgiana. Life is not worth living while this hateful mark makes me the object of your horror. You have deep science and have made great discoveries. Remove this little mark for the sake of your peace and my own

Dearest wife, cried Aylmer. Do not doubt my power. I am ready to make this cheek as perfect as its pair

.Her husband gently kissed her right cheek, the one without the red hand

The next day the couple went to Aylmer’s laboratory where he had made all his famous discoveries. Georgiana would live in a beautiful room he had prepared nearby, while he worked tirelessly in his lab. One by one, Aylmer tried a series of powerful experiments on his wife. But the mark remained

Georgiana waited in her room. She read through his notebooks of scientific observations. She could not help see that many of his experiments had ended in failure. She decided to see for herself the scientist at work

The first thing that struck Georgiana when entering the laboratory was the hot furnace. From the amount of soot above it, it seemed to have been burning for ages. She saw machines, tubes, cylinders and other containers for chemical experiments. What most drew her attention was Aylmer himself. He was nervous and pale as death as he worked on preparing a liquid

.Georgiana realized that her husband had been hiding his tension and fear

Think not so little of me that you cannot be honest about the risks we are taking, she said. I will drink whatever you make for me, even if it is a poison

My dear, nothing shall be hidden, Aylmer said. I have already given you chemicals powerful enough to change your entire physical system. Only one thing remains to be tried and if that fails, we are ruined

He led her back to her room where she waited once more, alone with her thoughts. She hoped that for just one moment she could satisfy her husband’s highest ideals. But she realized then that his mind would forever be on the march, always requiring something newer, better and more perfect

.Hours later, Aylmer returned carrying a crystal glass with a colorless liquid

.The chemical process went perfectly, he said. Unless all my science has tricked me, it cannot fail

To test the liquid, he placed a drop in the soil of a dying flower growing in a pot in the room. In a few moments, the plant became healthy and green once more

I do not need proof, Georgiana said quietly. Give me the glass. I am happy to put my life in your hands. She drank the liquid and immediately fell asleep

Aylmer sat next to his wife, observing her and taking notes. He noted everything — her breathing, the movement of an eyelid. He stared at the birthmark. And slowly, with every breath that came and went, it lost some of its brightness

!By Heaven! It is nearly gone, said Aylmer. Success! Success

He opened the window coverings to see her face in daylight. She was so pale. Georgiana opened her eyes and looked into the mirror her husband held. She tried to smile as she saw the barely visible mark

My poor Aylmer, she said gently. You have aimed so high. With so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the Earth could offer. I am dying, dearest

It was true. The hand on her face had been her link to life. As the last trace of color disappeared from her cheek, she gave her last breath

Blinded by a meaningless imperfection and an impossible goal, Aylmer had thrown away her life and with it his chance for happiness. In trying to improve his lovely wife, he had failed to realize she had been perfect all along

Words in This Story

chemical

adj. of or relating to chemistry

chemicals

n. elements found in nature or made by people; substances used in the science of chemistry

imperfection

n. a small flaw or bad part

visible

adj. able to be seen

birthmark

n. an unusual mark that is present on the skin from the time when someone is born