Early American Literature discussion

So sorry I'm late getting this up! 'The Birthmark' is the first story in Mosses from an Old Manse.

I've just started this one. It's very interesting to say the least.

Doreen wrote: "I've just started this one. It's very interesting to say the least."

I will probably read it tomorrow. I'm torn between devouring this book in a single day and savoring it. 😄

Meg wrote: "Doreen wrote: "I've just started this one. It's very interesting to say the least."

I will probably read it tomorrow. I'm torn between devouring this book in a single day and savoring it. 😄"

Well I have 2 other books going so I'm flipping back and forth. It makes my beloved Hawthorne last that much longer.

Doreen wrote: "Well I have 2 other books going so I'm flipping back and forth. It makes my beloved Hawthorne last that much longer."

Wow, that takes some discipline! I have 3 other books going and didn't touch any of them today. 😋😂

I just finished this chapter tonight. Although I enjoyed reading about Aylmer and Georgiana I have to say I really found the whole plot line a little bit disturbing. I'd be interested to hear what others think about this chapter.

Interesting symbolism on
imperfection and perceived
perfection.

I read this today but haven't had a chance to get all my thoughts together yet (too busy refuting Mark Twain! 😂). I can't say it's one of my favorites of Hawthorne's stories although it does have merit. It was quite a jolt after his mesmerizing description of the Old Manse!

Ruth wrote: "Interesting symbolism on
imperfection and perceived
perfection."

I really didn't care for the character of Aylmer. I thought he was a bit selfish and self-centered.

Two story ideas from Hawthorne's journals between 1837 and 1840 that evidently were the beginnings of this tale...

"A person to be in possession of something as perfect as mortal man has a right to demand; he tries to make it better, and ruins it entirely."

"A person to be the death of his beloved in trying to raise her to more than mortal perfection; yet this should be a comfort to him for having aimed so highly and holily."

Meg wrote: "Two story ideas from Hawthorne's journals between 1837 and 1840 that evidently were the beginnings of this tale...

"A person to be in possession of something as perfect as mortal man has a right t..."

Still doesn't make me like Aylmer Meg.

Doreen wrote: "Meg wrote: "Two story ideas from Hawthorne's journals between 1837 and 1840 that evidently were the beginnings of this tale...

"A person to be in possession of something as perfect as mortal man h..."

Haha, no me neither!

This is very Frankenstein-esque. Scientist thinks he's got all the answers, wants to create perfect life, things succeeds BUT with a catch.

Stories like Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are some of my favorites, so this short story was an enjoyable read for me.

Hannah wrote: "This is very Frankenstein-esque. Scientist thinks he's got all the answers, wants to create perfect life, things succeeds BUT with a catch.

Stories like Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll a..."

Oh I just saw Frankenstein at the library yesterday and almost checked it out! One of these days! 😋 I do appreciate the moral to this story and Hawthorne's explanation at the end.

Ha, maybe on the next library trip! Like this short story, Frankenstein has a great moral too. It's definitely worth the read.

Some of the comments made on the "Rappaccini's Daughter" thread would be appropriate here, too. This is again science fiction in the Romantic tradition, where delving into knowledge and powers that aren't the prerogative of human beings (even if it's well-intentioned) is apt to lead to tragic disaster.

The message of the story is particularly apt when you consider it in relation to late 18th and early 19th-century Utopianism, as manifested in the French Revolution, the Utopian communities (Hawthorne's The Blithedale Romance has something to say about those, too), etc. Those behind these movements, like Aylmer, had no comprehension of the idea that perfection can't be realized on this flawed earth with its imperfect materials; they (and their modern ideological descendants) were quite convinced they could create Heaven for themselves right here and now. In the process, they were very likely to irreparably damage or destroy whatever they were supposedly "perfecting."