The Birthmark

The husband in this story is disgusted by a birthmark that is upon his wife's face, and eventually he convinces her that she doesn't like it either and that he can remove it. He is a successful scientist and creates a concoction for her "deformity". The husband really shouldn't make this attempt, he should love her the way she is, they way she was made. This reminds me of people investing in unnecessary plastic surgeries these days, thinking they need to fix something on their body when in fact they are fine. I am not talking about unhealthily obese or ill people, just the ones that aren't happy with the way they were made. The husbands attempt to remove the birthmark is a struggle between him and nature and in the end his quest for perfection kills her. If he loved her, he would love her for more than just skin deep beauty.

Also, his character is compared to Adam in the book of Genesis, who although he lived in paradise and had a perfect world, was tempted by the one thing he couldn't have. He not only gave into this temptation, but also convinced his wife that it was necessary, just as Aylmer convinces his wife that the blemish should be removed. If it is something God made, specifically placed, does that make it a blemish just because we are aware of its presence? I think Aylmer is selfish and stupid, cares more about his scientific and career accomplishments than his own wife and her feelings. This story was a little slow, but I mostly enjoyed it.