“The Birthmark”
By Nathaniel Hawthorne
Name: __________________________
Short Answer
Date: __________
Block: __________
Please use at least one sentence to answer each question.
1. The birthmark is the most important symbol in the story. What does it represent to Aylmer? To
Hawthorne? To you?
2.
What is the role of Aminadab in the story? How does he contrast with Aylmer? Why does this
contrast make the story more clear and effective?
3.
Hawthorne compares the fading of the birthmark from Georgiana’s face to the fading of a rainbow
from the sky. What is the message in this comparison? Why is the mark’s disappearance
“awful”?
Vocabulary
Circle the letter of the correct answer
1. spectral
“… his eyes wandered stealthily to her cheek and beheld … the spectral hand…”
a. ghostly
b. hideous
c. imaginary
d. miniature
2. competent
“I feel myself fully competent to render this dear cheek as faultless as its fellow…”
a. reluctant
b. afraid
c. able
d. eager
3. convulsive
“Aylmer looked cheerfully into her face … but was so startled … that he could not restrain a
strong convulsive shudder.”
a. lengthy
b. uncontrollable
c. frightened
d. impatient
4. fervid
“’Drink then, thou lofty creature!’ exclaimed Aylmer, with fervid admiration.”
a. passionate
b. anxious
c. hasty
d. grateful
5. grappled
“The fatal hand had grappled with the mystery of life …”
a. communicated
b. agreed
c. faded
d. wrestled
More Vocabulary
Choose from the word bank the word that belongs in each of these sentences.
Affinity
Convulsive
Eminent
Grappled
Phenomena
Competent
Corrosive
Fervid
Odious
Spectral
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
The __________ writer of best sellers gave a speech about the hero in his most famous novel.
The two boys _________ on the lawn, but neither could pin the other down.
Mrs. Clark knew that Tom was a __________ lawyer because he won more cases than he lost.
The __________ appearance of the deserted house frightened the children.
The general’s __________ speech on patriotism inspired the soldiers to fight fearlessly.
Eclipses and other natural __________ baffled early scientists.
Patty’s __________ cough prevented her from sleeping last night.
Lindsay’s __________ with her hometown remained for years after she moved away.
The nobleman considered poor peasants to be __________ creatures not worthy of his
compassion.
10. Salt and snow have a __________ effect on metal and concrete.
Essay
Please use at least three sentences to answer each question.
1.
Who do you think is responsible for Georgiana’s death? Consider Hawthorne’s message.
Although Aylmer carries out the experiment, what is Georgiana’s role in her own death?
2.
Explain how the story exhibits Gothic Horror themes. Use details & give examples.
 Manipulation

Control

Obsession

Perfectionism

Science without Morals