Read the following extract which is taken from Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, The Birthmark. Then, attempt the questions that follow.
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"Aylmer," resumed Georgiana,
solemnly, "I know not what may be the cost to both of us to rid me of
this fatal birthmark. Perhaps its removal may cause cureless deformity; or it
may be the stain goes as deep as life itself. Again: do we know that there is
a possibility, on any terms, of unclasping the firm gripe of this little hand
which was laid upon me before I came into the world?"
"Dearest
Georgiana, I have spent much thought upon the subject," hastily
interrupted Aylmer. "I am convinced of the perfect practicability of its
removal."
"If
there be the remotest possibility of it," continued Georgiana, "let
the attempt be made at whatever risk. Danger is nothing to me; for life,
while this hateful mark makes me the object of your horror and disgust,--life
is a burden which I would fling down with joy. Either remove this dreadful
hand, or take my wretched life! You have deep science. All the world bears
witness of it. You have achieved great wonders. Cannot you remove this
little, little mark, which I cover with the tips of two small fingers? Is
this beyond your power, for the sake of your own peace, and to save your poor
wife from madness?"
"Noblest,
dearest, tenderest wife," cried Aylmer, rapturously, "doubt not my
power. I have already given this matter the deepest thought--thought which
might almost have enlightened me to create a being less perfect than
yourself. Georgiana, you have led me deeper than ever into the heart of
science. I feel myself fully competent to render this dear cheek as faultless
as its fellow; and then, most beloved, what will be my triumph when I shall
have corrected what Nature left imperfect in her fairest work! Even
Pygmalion, when his sculptured woman assumed life, felt not greater ecstasy
than mine will be."
"It
is resolved, then," said Georgiana, faintly smiling. "And, Aylmer,
spare me not, though you should find the birthmark take refuge in my heart at
last."
Her
husband tenderly kissed her cheek--her right cheek--not that which bore the
impress of the crimson hand
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The questions are grouped into three levels of difficulty. Attempt these to find out if any of these levels is challenging for you. Answers to the first two questions, in each level, will be provided in this blog in a couple of days to allow you to assess yourself. The rest of the questions will be answered in the blog found in the website of The Pear Tree Centre for Education.
Questions:
Questions:
Level 1:
- What is a birthmark? (Refer to Paragraph 1)
- Which word in paragraph 1 indicates that the birthmark is viewed as undesirable?
- What is Aylmer confident of doing? (Refer to Paragraph 2)
- What is Aylmer referring to when he said `its fellow' in paragraph 4?
- What is the `crimson hand'? (Refer to Paragraph 6)
Level 2:
- What are the two possible dangers involved that Georgiana articulates in paragraph 1?
- What do you think is Aylmer's occupation? (Refer to Paragraphs 3 and 4)
- Why does Georgiana detest the birthmark? (Refer to Paragraph 3)
- What evidence is there in paragraph 5 to show that Georgiana is not fully comfortable with her decision to have her husband remove the birthmark?
- Explain what Georgiana meant when she said, "spare me not, though you should find the birthmark take refuge in my heart at last." (Refer to Paragraph 5)
Level 3:
- State two characteristics of Aylmer and Georgiana, and for each of those characteristics, provide substantiation for your answer. (Refer to the whole extract)
- Why do you think the author highlighted that Aylmer kissed the unblemished cheek? (Refer to Paragraph 6)
- Explain if you think Aylmer's love for Georgiana is true. (Refer to the whole extract)
- Would you sympathise with Georgiana's decision to have the birthmark removed? Give reasons for your answer. (Refer to the whole extract)
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