Jonathan Bradley Professor Angela Jacobs ENC 1102 16 April 2014 The Birthmark Annotated Bibliography

Bradley 1

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Birth-Mark. The Norton Introduction to Literature. Kelly J. Mays. Ed. Spencer Richardson-Jones. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2012. 290301. Print. The main points covered in this source will include any point that may be formulated because it is the passage that is being analyzed. This story can be interpreted in a variety of ways that are unlimited in perspective. It covers topics such as psychoanalytic criticism as well as biographical criticism. It covers multiple themes, which include the common conflict of science vs. nature. Aylmer attempts to change a natural blemish through scientific research and trial. It also withholds symbols that can be interpreted many ways. Symbols such as the birthmark or the lab and the boudoir can be analyzed through different perspectives. Even the characters can be analyzed to have a literal as well as metaphorical meaning within the passage. Every topic is covered in the source because it is the origin of all information concerning analysis. The Birth-Mark is basically the source of all of the research and support for my paper. This source is better than any of my other sources for numerous yet apparent reasons. The passage allows you to interpret the text for yourself rather than reading someone elses interpretation and attempting to validate their credibility and accuracy. This passage is undeniably a credible source. The article is neither objective nor bias because it does not attempt to interpret or evaluate. There was not necessarily a goal for this source because it was only the

Bradley 2 passage. This source will be extremely useful because it has all the information I need to refer to for clarification throughout my analysis. Marshall, Megan. Sophias Crimson Hand. Nathaniel Hawthorne Society. Literature Resource Center. 2011. Web. 26 Mar. 2014 This essay initially targets Georgianas birthmark through many aspects. It mentions the many different perspectives given on her birthmark and Aylmers dissatisfaction. Marshall highlights how other men were more attracted to Georgiana because of the birthmark. Aylmers distaste is labeled as his imagination that turns the small birthmark to an unacceptable imperfection. This source briefly touches on Aylmers attempt to change nature through scientific experimentation. Georgianas birthmark is considered to represent her personal desires that Aylmer is indirectly afraid to encounter. However, the essay shifts its attention from The Birthmark and converges to a biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne. It then briefly summarizes Hawthorne and his wifes life together. This source is not as effective as the other sources because it does not deeply analyze The Birth-Mark. The majority of this essay focuses on the relationship of Hawthorne and his wife, Sophia, rather than the passage. This source may not be as useful because it does not go into much detail and only briefly introduces the use of symbolism. However, it could be used to examine Hawthornes background in regards to biographical criticism. It could also be used to further illustrate the symbolism of Georgianas birthmark. The source is credible and objective because it does not initiate in any prejudice interpretation. Quinn, James. The Birthmark: A Deathmark. Detroit, Hartford Studies in Literature. 2007. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.

Bradley 3 The source focuses on how Aylmers distaste in his wifes birthmark represents a deeper issue. The birthmark stands for the growing distaste Aylmer has for his wife. Quinn initially mentions the use of psychoanalytic criticism in determining hidden motives in The Birth -Mark. He then introduces biographical criticism and the integration of Hawthornes Puritan background to influence the passage. The source speaks about how Georgiana submits to Aylmers outrageous perspective of her birthmark. Quinn makes a point that Aminadab plays an ironic role in the story and mocks Aylmer. The source briefly mentions the use of foreshadowing in the passage that alluded to Georgianas demise. Quinn also speaks about the foreshadowing that was presented that hinted the failure of Aylmers upcoming experiment. In regard to my other sources, this source is slightly more elaborate. This source focuses mostly on Aylmer and how he influences Georgiana to make an unwise decision. It gives a brief description of Aylmers personal struggle of being with his wife. It is a credible source and does not include any bias interpretation. This source will be useful in supporting the underlying themes in my research. It will also support my assertions about the symbols Hawthorne uses in the passage. Youra, Steven. The Fatal Hand': A Sign of Confusion in Hawthorne's 'The Birth-Mark. American Transcendental Quarterly. June 1986. p. 43-51. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. This source primarily focuses on Aylmer and his internal confusion about Georgianas birthmark. Within Aylmers confusion he self-inflicts his own mindset and corrupts his thinking. Originally the birthmark did not bother him, but gradually his dislike for it emerged harmfully. However, this source did not only speak of Aylmers confusion, it also analyzes outside of the text into Nathaniel Hawthornes personal confusion. It mentions that two hands are present within The Birth-Mark which represent a correlation between the narrator and the author. The

Bradley 4 source highlights how Aylmers distaste grows into an uncontrollable obsession. Aylmer is then described as an artist and is proclaimed of using Georgiana as one of his works. Within this description, Aylmer is briefly compared to a few other characters in Hawthornes other books. This source is slightly more centered than my other sources. It stays remotely on topic throughout the entire analysis without the addition of outside interpretations. This source would be considered as credible. The article is objective and does not demonstrate any favor or prejudice. The primary goal of this source was to analyze the confusion within The Birth-Mark as well as the confusion outside of the passage that relates to it. This source will greatly assist me in writing my paper because it provides an in-depth interpretation of the short story. It will also help me illustrate the biographical criticism that is present within the text. Zanger, Jules. Speaking of the Unspeakable: Hawthorne's "The Birthmark". The University of Chicago Press. May 1983. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. Jules Zanger concentrates on the different interpretations that could be depicted in The BirthMark. Some of these interpretations include the assumption that Georgianas birthmark represents imperfection. Aylmers desire to remove it symbolizes scientific idealism. He then discusses which interpretations are more accurate than the others. Jules questions Hawthornes choice of characteristics for Georgiana and Aylmer to highlight the differences in theme that were represented. Zanger later speaks about their marriage and how they are bound to their surroundings similar to how Aylmer is undesirably bound in marriage. This confinement causes something as minor as a birthmark to grow out of proportion into a major issue. Zanger illustrates that Aylmer has a distinct dominance over Georgiana as well as their living conditions. Ultimately, Aylmers attempt to dominate Georgianas imperfection leads to her death.

Bradley 5 This source is more elaborate and broad than my other sources. It covers themes and topics over a wider scope than the rest of my sources. It will benefit my research by introducing more perspectives in my analysis. However, the variety of topics did not allow Jules Zanger to thoroughly convey his points for each topic. This source would also be considered as credible. The source is objective with the absence of any bias opinions or statements. The goal of this source was to describe the different themes present in The Birth-Mark and the connection between them. This source will help me further elaborate on my themes and symbolism in my paper.