The Birthmark

“The Birthmark” was published during a time of change and innovation in British and American literature. While gothic fiction was still in existence in the 1840s, new elements characteristic of the genre now called “science fiction” or “speculative fiction” were creeping into literature during this age of scientific advancement. At this time, gothic horror’s concentration on omens and portents shifted to a focus on scientific discoveries and laboratory instruments. At its core, though, the questions that informed the plot lines and themes remained similar: What does it mean to be human? What are the limits of mankind’s power? As well, the authors of horror and science fiction share a fundamental interest in the same subject: someone (or something) usurping the act of creation from God and/or nature. “The Birthmark” is above all concerned with the evil humans can commit with creative power in the name of science. While science grants Aylmer access to this power, without a proper moral compass and a true knowledge of himself, he wields it selfishly and destructively. As such, “The Birthmark” has a strongly moralizing message against this type of behavior.

“The Birthmark” also represents an important work of dark

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