Discussion for 9-6-23: The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne

wireman
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Discussion for 9-6-23: The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne Sept 6, 2023 11:42:02 GMT osnafrank and spideyman like this

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Post by wireman on Sept 6, 2023 11:42:02 GMT

The discussion for today is The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hathorne

americanliterature.com/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/short-story/the-birthmark

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osnafrank
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Discussion for 9-6-23: The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne Sept 6, 2023 16:29:29 GMT wireman and spideyman like this

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Post by osnafrank on Sept 6, 2023 16:29:29 GMT

I've read this for the first time, and really
like Hawthorne's style of writing.

An interesting story about vanity,
and a man's striving for perfection.
A short lesson on the illusion of perfection..

Also, don't marry the crazy scientist.

wireman
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Discussion for 9-6-23: The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne Sept 6, 2023 17:29:50 GMT osnafrank and spideyman like this

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Post by wireman on Sept 6, 2023 17:29:50 GMT

Seeking perfection can be very destructive. He destroys what he's trying to perfect.

Interesting how it only bothers him after they are married. Like he considers her a possession that he needs to fix.

This is a variation of the science vs nature story.

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Discussion for 9-6-23: The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne Sept 7, 2023 14:23:50 GMT osnafrank and wireman like this

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Post by spideyman on Sept 7, 2023 14:23:50 GMT

Enjoyable short story. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, and in this case it brought about a sad ending. I too questioned why the birthmark bothered him only after marriage.

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Discussion for 9-6-23: The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne Sept 8, 2023 13:07:34 GMT osnafrank and spideyman like this

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Post by wireman on Sept 8, 2023 13:07:34 GMT

The discussion for next Wednesday will be A Duel by Guy De Maupassant

americanliterature.com/author/guy-de-maupassant/short-story/a-duel

A Duel.pdf (155.72 KB)

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