In “The Birthmark,” character relationships and behaviors reveal much more than the story itself. The characters of Aylmer, Georgian, Amenidab and Nature itself, through their words, actions and behaviors, give a glimpse of a much more significant story. A deeper analysis of the characters reveals that they are archetypes, and as archetypes they provide a deeper hidden meaning to the story. By looking at the relationships and actions of Aylmer, Georgiana, Amenidab, and Nature throughout the story we can see how they are used to give deeper meaning. Aylmer's character can be seen as a mad and sinister scientist who constantly fights with nature to achieve his goals. human perfection. From the beginning of the story we can see Aylmer's struggle with nature. “We do not know whether Aylmer possessed this degree of faith in man's ultimate control over nature. He had devoted himself, however, too wholeheartedly to scientific studies to ever be weakened by any second passion” (Hawthorne 218). This demonstrates Aylmer's passion in trying to discover the secrets of nature and being able to dominate it. Aylmer's obsession with perfection and defying nature can be seen again when he talks about the mark on Georgiana's cheek. “'No, dearest Georgiana, you have come so almost perfect from the hand of Nature, that this least possible flaw, which we hesitate whether to call a flaw or a beauty, shocks me, as the visible sign of earthly imperfection'” (Hawthorne 219) . This shows that Aylmer is not trying to remove the mark as an act of love, but instead is trying to remove the mark because it symbolizes a blemish of imperfection by nature. Aylmer is obsessed with his efforts to remove the mark and his motivations are not to make Ge...... middle of paper ......feel again! Thus ever the gross fatality of the earth exults in its invariable triumph over the immortal essence which, in this dark sphere of semi-development, requires the completeness of a higher state” (Hawthorne 231). This laughter seems to come not from anyone in the room but rather from Nature itself. Nature laughs at Aylmer in his attempt to overpower her and create his own form of perfection. Since the hand on Georgiana's face is seen as Nature's touch on her, it is not difficult to see Nature as a real character in the story. After a deeper analysis of the characters in the story "The Birthmark" it is easy to see that there are multiple hidden meanings everywhere. The characteristics and actions of Aylmer, Georgiana, Amenidab and Nature help us see deeper into the characters and see their true motivations and meanings in the story.