Nathaniel Hawthorne is an American writer. He is one among the nineteenth century American romantics.

' The Birthmark' is a story that illustrates  Hawthorne's influence on the art of writing. The protagonist here is a scientifically minded Aylmer. He marries the beautiful Georgiana. But he see a little lack in her, which is a birthmark on her cheek. He adopts many scientific methods to change that. But it ends in a tragedy.

Aylmer first love was with science. But he postponed all his work to fall in love with the beautiful Georgiana. He eventually married her and brought her to his home. Shortly after the wedding, looking at the birthmark on her cheek and asked her in a trouble tone, have you ever thought of removing it? She replied, “No.” She had never thought about changing it, and he told her that it was ruining her beauty and that it was shocking. The birthmark was in the shape of a tiny hand. It fades when she blushes and smiles. But when the face is pale it will show. Her former lovers used to tell her that the sign was formed when a goddess held her cheek at the time of birth. With each passing day, Aylmer became more and more disturbed. One night, she asked her husband if he remembered the dream he had had about that birthmark the night before. Aylmer suddenly remembered that dream. He tried to remove the birthmark on his wife's cheek. The deeper he tried, the deeper it went. Eventually it reached her heart. From there he took it out. He looked into her eyes, remembering the dream with guilt. Finally, Georgiana told her husband that there was nothing wrong with changing the mark. With this goal in mind, they both moved to a part of his lab, and he shuddered as she stepped out the door. Then she stumbled and fell unconscious.

 When awake she is amazed to see the rich decorations and books in her husband's room.  He showed her many surprises in his lab. From time to time he retreated to the lab and continued experimenting for his goal. Once she sang a song for him, she followed him into the lab. His assistant, Aminadeb, was there. She realized that Aylmer lack of confidence. He was also under stress. He finally told them he was not sure about the success of the experiment. After telling her to go to her room, Aylmer immersed himself in his experiments. At last, he gave her a liquid to drink. Georgiana drank it without any hesitation. Immediately she slipped into sleep. Aylmer was staring intently at the birthmark. It slowly disappeared, making it almost impossible to see. Ayler was excited about his experiment, but his assistant, Aminadeb, mocked him. Georgiana woke up and looked in the mirror happily. She can't find a trace of her birthmark. it completely vanished. She immediately looked at her husband with troubled eyes and said she was dying. Thus ends the tale of birthmark.

The story thus highlights our overconfidence in the power of science.