World. Hawthorne develops the character of Aminadab to serve this purpose. Aminadab is the perfect contrast to Aylmer. Aminadab “seemed to represent man’s physical nature; while Aylmer’s slender figure, and pale, intellectual face, were no less apt a spiritual element” (48). Aminadab realizes that Georgiana is indeed perfect the way she is, and should not be tampered with. This is shown in a quote from Aminadab, “ ‘if she were my wife, I’d never part with that birthmark’ ” (48). He realizes science cannot overtake Mother Nature. Aylmer’s view towards it is one of disgust. He thinks “it will be such a rapture to remove it” (48). This shows the contrast of the men, Aminadab and Aylmer. When Aminadab chuckles the ”hoarse, chuckling laugh,” (55) at the end of the story, it really drives Hawthorne’s point home. That is, it is laughable to believe that science can solve all of life’s mysteries.Aylmer’s book of experiments and their results is a metaphor for how scientific discovery only leads us to find more questions not answers. In Aylmer’s book, it shows that all his great achievements and discoveries were merely accidents and by-products of his original goals that failed to achieve conclusive answers: “his most splendid successes were most invariably failures, if compared with the ideal at which he aimed” (51). It becomes apparent to the reader that all of Aylmer’s attempts were merely futile and in vain. “ ‘The concoction of the draught has been perfect,’ said he, in answer to Georgiana’s look. ‘Unless all my science have deceived me, it cannot fail’ ” (54). Alas, the draught is far from perfect, all of Aylmer’s science has deceived him and his ultimate failure comes to fruition as Georgiana dies. Aylmer is but a mere man. The hand-like bir...
