The Birthmark

The Birthmark How does Hawthorne in the "Birthmark" use Irony, Ambiguity, Paradox, and Symbol? Ambiguity: Two different interpretations can be used to describe Georgiana’s character. At first she seems to be a strong confident women who is very self assured. Only after the constant focus of her husband’s attention to her birthmark, does she begin to willow away. When Aylmer gives her the elixir to drink, Georgiana has submitted to doing whatever in necessary to relieve her husband from his misery caused by her birthmark. Irony: The removal of the birthmark was an event in irony. Aylmer and Georgiana did not know that the mark provided the life blood to his wife. After the removal of the birthmark, Aylmer’s wife was perfect for a short few moments, only to die. Paradox: A statement that seems contrary to common sense. Georgiana states during a discussion with her husband "let the attempt be made at whatever the risk. Danger is nothing for me; for life, while this hateful mark make...