Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story The Birth-Mark plays around with the ideas of allegory, and the effect symbolism can have on people. In The Birth-Mark, Aylmer, a man of science, can’t let go of the imperfection the birthmark on his wife’s cheek represents, he allows his emotions towards the birthmark to consume him, and ultimately leads to him losing his precious wife. Hawthorne is clearly warning of the dangers of placing too much power and meaning in such a trifling object as a birthmark. The only influence an object possesses is the power we place in it. Continue reading “Consuming​ Allegory: The Birthmark by Nathaniel​ Hawthorne” →