Essay Database

In "The Birthmark," Hawthorne described a young scientist who killed his own wife by pursuing "perfect future" (Hawthorne, 220) while trying to remove a birthmark on his wife?s face. His name was Aylmer. He was a good scientist according to any standard. He was smart, diligent, and "an eminent proficient" (Hawthorne, 203) in natural science. Hawthorne was not against science; he was against "perfect science," against the people who wanted a "perfect science." Aylmer was so …

…himself, that?s reason why he "can scarcely glance over and keep [his] senses." (Hawthorne, 214) All the great scientific discoveries are originated from great failures, but people can only see the successes, not the failures. Science will advance, step by step. But will never reach a "perfect science." The pursue of "perfect science" can often lead to disasters because people live "once for all in eternity; to find the perfect future in the present." (Hawthorne, 220)