Themes
The sheer number of themes explored in "The Birthmark" is a testament to the immense literary skill of Hawthorne. Considering the rather simple premise of the story, the diversity of issues it touches upon is remarkable. Some of the most important themes found in "The Birthmark" are human mortality, the imperfection of human nature, the implications of science in the natural order of things, the conflict between spirituality and physicality, sexuality and gender roles, psychological turmoil, and the dynamics of human and divine love.
My analysis of the story focuses primarily on the following themes (click to redirect):
Divine and Earthly Love
Mortality and Imperfection
Science and Nature
Spirit and Matter
My analysis of the story focuses primarily on the following themes (click to redirect):
Divine and Earthly Love
Mortality and Imperfection
Science and Nature
Spirit and Matter