“Aminadab in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birth-mark” ” by Conor Walsh is filled with interesting perception and a new aspect of the symbolism on Hawthorne’s character Aminadab in that in breaking down the name and the character separately, one can more clearly analyze the misunderstanding protagonist and the seemingly insignificant character to gain a more evolved discernment of the story. In “The Birthmark,” the reader is presented with two main characters [Aylmer and Georgianna] and one minor character [Aminadab]. Although mentioned further into the story and less often than the other characters, Aminadab has a greater role than can be read on the surface. Walsh utterly breaks down this character and analyzes him so that we can clearly gain a true image of Hawthorn’s symbolism-filled manservant, Aminadab.
In the short story, Aylmer is a brilliant but misguided scientist, obsessed with his work and obsessed with the idea of human perfection. His wife, Georgianna is the caring and beautiful idealistic woman with but one flaw and it merely being physical. When Aminadab is introduced, the reader automatically pictures him this insignificant and brooding character. Aylmer, often in a near degrading tone, refers to him as a “human machine” and a “man of clay.” Walsh observes that perhaps Aminadab’s earthy appearance represents man’s physical nature. Much like the birthmark, Aminadab is considered “flawed” by Aylmer. This to show how Aylmer displays disdain for imperfection of humankind and misunderstanding about life itself. For no man can be perfect, Aminadab and Georgianna are similar in their humility and acceptance of their flaws. Walsh also incorporates the meaning of names in his article; Aminadab meaning, “my nation is noble.” Why then does Aylmer talk down to him so and disregard his humanity? Perhaps this was just another symbolic method representing Aylmer’s misinterpreted theories of what man should be. Although flawed, he is mortal; Aminadab is truly nobler than Aylmer will ever be.
In the short story, Aylmer is a brilliant but misguided scientist, obsessed with his work and obsessed with the idea of human perfection. His wife, Georgianna is the caring and beautiful idealistic woman with but one flaw and it merely being physical. When Aminadab is introduced, the reader automatically pictures him this insignificant and brooding character. Aylmer, often in a near degrading tone, refers to him as a “human machine” and a “man of clay.” Walsh observes that perhaps Aminadab’s earthy appearance represents man’s physical nature. Much like the birthmark, Aminadab is considered “flawed” by Aylmer. This to show how Aylmer displays disdain for imperfection of humankind and misunderstanding about life itself. For no man can be perfect, Aminadab and Georgianna are similar in their humility and acceptance of their flaws. Walsh also incorporates the meaning of names in his article; Aminadab meaning, “my nation is noble.” Why then does Aylmer talk down to him so and disregard his humanity? Perhaps this was just another symbolic method representing Aylmer’s misinterpreted theories of what man should be. Although flawed, he is mortal; Aminadab is truly nobler than Aylmer will ever be.