Ron Reads Boring Books
Are you tired? You will be. Because I will read to you a boring book and it will be worse than you doing nothing. This podcast is not intended to entertain you. It is intended to bore you. The length of each podcast will vary so you cannot plan your listening easily. Some reads will be short. Some will be excruciatingly long. There will be no intro or outro music. The only sound is my voice and other random sounds as they happen. I change my voice as I read the dialog. Also, I have a southern accent and do not read well. Thank you for listening.
Ron Reads Boring Books
When Genius Destroys What Makes Us Human
The classic tale "The Birthmark" by Nathaniel Hawthorne explores the dark consequences of a scientist's obsession with perfection. We delve into this tragic story where Aylmer's quest to remove his wife Georgiana's facial birthmark—what he sees as her only flaw—leads to devastating results.
• Aylmer, a brilliant scientist, becomes fixated on removing his wife Georgiana's small hand-shaped birthmark
• The birthmark changes with Georgiana's emotions, appearing vividly when she is pale and fading when she blushes
• Georgiana initially sees her birthmark as charming but adopts her husband's view that it's a defect
• Aylmer conducts experiments in his laboratory to remove what he perceives as nature's mistake
• The tragic removal of the birthmark results in Georgiana's death, revealing that the mark was connected to her life force
• The story serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of pursuing perfection at the expense of appreciating natural beauty
Thank you for listening to this installment of Ron Reads Boring Books featuring "The Birthmark" by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Hello, are you tired? You will be. Welcome to Ron Reads, welcome to the Boring Book Series. Today we're reading the Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne, first published in Hawthorne Mosses, from an Old Man's, boston, huffton, mifflin Harcourt, 1846.
Speaker 1:A long time ago there lived a skillful scientist who had experienced a spiritual reaction more striking than any chemical one. He had left his laboratory in the care of his assistant, washed the chemicals from his hands and asked a beautiful woman to become his wife. In those days, new scientific discoveries such as electricity, seemed to open paths into the area of miracles. It was not unusual for the love of science to compete with the love of a woman. The scientist's name was a Elmer Elmer. He had so totally given himself to scientific studies that he could not be weakened by a second love. His love for his young wife couldn't only be stronger if the two of the two, if it, could link itself with his love of science. Such a union did take place with truly remarkable results. But one day, very soon after their marriage, elmer looked at his wife with a troubled expression. Georgiana, he said have you ever considered that the mark upon your cheek might be removed' "'No' she said, smiling. "'but seeing the seriousness of his question' she said "'the mark has so often been called a charm. "'that I was simple enough to imagine it might be so' "'On another face it might, answered her husband, but not on yours. No, dear nature made you so perfectly that this small defect shocks me as being a sign of earthly imperfection. Shocks you, cried, georgiana deeply hurt, her face reddened and she burst into tears. Then why did you marry me? You cannot love what shocks you. We must explain that in the center of Georgiana's left cheek there was a mark deep in her skin. The mark was usually a deep red color. When Georgiana blushed the mark became less visible. But when she turned pale there was a mark like a red stain upon snow.
Speaker 1:The birthmark would come and go with the emotions in her heart. The mark was shaped like a very small human hand. The mark was shaped like a very small human hand. Georgiana's past lovers used to say that the hand of a magical fairy had touched her face when she was born. Many a gentleman would have risked his life for the honor of kissing that mysterious hand. But the other people had different opinions. Some women said the red hand quite destroyed the effect of Georgiana's beauty. Male observers did not praise the mark, simply wished it away so they did not see it.
Speaker 1:After his marriage, elmer discovered that this was the case with himself. Had Georgiana been less beautiful, he might have felt his love increased by the prettiness of that little hand. But because she was otherwise so perfect, he found the mark had become unbearable. Elmer saw the mark as a sign of his wife's eventual sadness, sickness and death. Soon the birthmark caused him more pain than Georgiana's beauty had ever given him pleasure During a period that should have been their happiest. Elmer could only think of this disastrous subject. Elmer could only think of this disastrous subject.
Speaker 1:With the morning light, elmer opened his eyes upon his wife's face and recognized the sign of imperfection. When they sat together in the evening near the fire, he would look at the mark. Georgiana soon began to fear his look. His expression would make her face go pale and the birthmark would stand out like a red jewel on white stone. Do you remember, dear Elmer, about the dream you had last night about this hateful mark? She asked with a weak smile. None, none, whatever, answered Aylmer surprised. The mind is in a sad state when sleep cannot control its ghosts and allow them to break free with their secrets.
Speaker 1:Aylmer now remembered his dream. He had imagined himself with his assistant Amenadab, trying to remove the birthmark with an operation. But the deeper his knife went, the deeper the small hand sank, until it had caught hold of Georgiana's heart. Elmer felt guilty remembering the dream. "'elmer', said Georgiana, "'i do not know what the cost would be to both of us to remove this birthmark? "'removing it could deform my face or damage my health' "'Dearest Georgiana, I have spent much thought on the subject', said Elmer. "'i am sure it can be removed'. "'then let the attempt be made at any risk, said Georgiana. Life is not worth living while this hateful mark makes me the object of your horror. You have deep science and have made great discoveries. Remove this little mark for the sake of your peace and my own Dearest wife, cried Elmer. Do not doubt my power. I am ready to make this cheek as perfect as its pair. Her husband gently kissed her right cheek, the one without the red hand.
Speaker 1:The next day the couple went to Elmer's laboratory where he had made all his famous discoveries. Georgiana would live in a beautiful room he had prepared nearby while he worked tirelessly in his lab. One by one, elmer tried a series of powerful experiments on his wife, but the mark remained. Georgiana waited in her room. She read through his notebooks of scientific observations. She could not help see that many of his experiments had ended in failure. She decided to see for herself the scientist at work.
Speaker 1:The first thing that struck Georgiana when entering the laboratory was the hot furnace. From the amount of soot above it seemed to have been burning for ages. She saw machines, tubes, cylinders and other containers for chemical experiments. What most drew her attention was aylmer himself. He was nervous and pale as death as he worked on preparing a liquid. Think not so little of me that you cannot be honest about the risks we're taking. She said I will drink whatever you make for me, even if it is a poison. My dear, nothing shall be hidden. Elmer said I have already given you the chemicals powerful enough to change your entire physical system. The only thing remains to be tried, and if that fails, we are ruined. Only one thing remains to be tried, and if that fails, we're ruined. He led her back to her room where she waited once more, along with her thoughts. She hoped that for just one moment she could satisfy her husband's highest ideals. But she realized then that his mind would forever be on the march, always requiring something newer, better and more perfect.
Speaker 1:Hours later, elmer returned carrying a crystal glass with a colorless liquid. The chemical process went perfectly, he said. Unless all my science has tricked me, it cannot fail To test the liquid. He placed a drop in the soil of a dying flower growing in a pot in the room. In a few minutes the plant became healthy and green once more. I do not need proof. Georgiana said quietly Give me the glass. I am happy to put my life in your hands. She drank the liquid and immediately fell asleep.
Speaker 1:Elmer sat next to his wife, observing her and taking notes. He noted everything her breathing, the movement of an eyelid. He stared at the birthmark and slowly, with every breath that came and went, it lost some of its brightness. By heaven, it's nearly gone, said Elmer. Success, success. He opened the window coverings to see her face in the daylight. She was so pale.
Speaker 1:Georgiana opened her eyes and looked into the mirror her husband held. She tried to smile as she saw the barely visible mark. My poor Elmer, she said. You have aimed so high with so high and pure a feeling. You have rejected the best the earth could offer. I'm dying dearest, it was true, the hand on her face had been her link to life. As the last trace of color disappeared from her cheek, she gave her last breath, blinded by a meaningless imperfection and an impossible goal. Elmer had thrown away her life and with it his chance for happiness. In trying to improve his lovely wife, he had failed to realize that she had been perfect all along. Thank you for listening to this installment of Ron Reads Boring Books. This has been the Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Thank you.