After an in-depth exploration, it’s possible to find fact within fictional stories. “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne parallels a news story regarding Bruce Jenner’s sex change written by journalists Kirthana Ramisetti and Elizabeth Vanmetre. The Dark Romantic short story explores the implications of seeking unfeasible perfection. Bruce Jenner’s popularity in the news centers around surgeries and reputable sources sparking recurring rumors that he’s becoming a woman. The two works share attributes that support an equal amount of fact in fiction and news. Both the journalists and Nathaniel Hawthorne implement relatable characters, multiple perspectives, and overarching, relevant themes to form a plausible, realistic story.
The relatable characters in “The Birthmark” and Bruce Jenner’s news story induce realistic narratives. To build his character, Ramisetti and Vanmetre focus on Bruce Jenner’s role in the popular reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Likely, people understand the character of Bruce Jenner best by watching his TV show about family and daily life. In his show, Bruce Jenner is exposed as a loving family member who struggles with ordinary problems, like rebellious teenage daughters. His story is interesting to an audience who relates to his reality show role. Outsiders gain perspective into what it’s like to have their own family member, or whoever fills the Bruce Jenner role in their life, undergo a drastic change similar to his transformation to a woman. Similarly, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the characterization of Georgiana to create a relatable figure. Georgiana begins the story thinking that her birthmark is an asset. In reply to her husband’s criticism, she remarked, “‘To tell you the truth it has been so often called a charm that I was simple enough to imagine it to be so’” (Hawthorne). However, Georgiana undergoes such a change in mentality about her birthmark that she is uncomfortable at the mention of it. Hawthorne writes, “At the mention of the birthmark, Georgiana, as usual, shrank as if a redhot iron had touched her cheek” (Hawthorne). Georgiana’s transformation caused by Aylmer's shame of her flaw is understandable. People view themselves differently when a loved one suggests that they change. It’s especially harmful when someone has found a positive side to their flaws. Georgiana’s change in character could readily happen to any reader of “The Birthmark;” therefore, the fictional story is realistic. The portrayal of Bruce Jenner in a family-setting and the Georgiana’s change in confidence make the news article and short story applicable to real life.
The presentation of opposing perspectives about controversial events in “The Birthmark” and the news article about Bruce Jenner contribute to their realistic portrayal. The journalists who wrote about Bruce Jenner’s transition to a women recognize the criticism that he will face from those who do not support sex changes. Conversely, they note that he’s receiving support, especially from loved ones. By providing both possible reactions, readers will most likely identify with at least one perspective in this news article. They’ll view the news story as relevant to their own lives and beliefs; thus, the news article is more real. Also, in “The Birthmark,” Aylmer and Georgiana spend extensive amounts of time and energy worrying about the birthmark on Georgiana’s face. They think that its removal will yield perfection to Georgiana’s otherwise seemingly unscathed being. Even still, the story provides a third party's view of Georgiana’s birthmark. Abinadab reflects, “‘If she were my wife, I’d never part with that birthmark’” (Hawthorne). Readers who don’t believe in perfection as defined by Aylmer and Georgiana find the story more relatable as their own viewpoint is recognized while others who believe that physical uniformity is necessary to “perfection” will identify with Aylmer and Georgiana. Recognition of all viewpoints is necessary in daily life, and it is present in both the news article and short story. This leads to fiction’s factual side in the case of “The Birthmark.”
The overarching theme that Nathaniel Hawthorne focuses on in “The Birthmark” is equally as realistic and prevalent as that which Ramisetti and Vanmetre focus on. Bruce Jenner’s news article focuses on the topic of a sex change. By publicising Bruce Jenner’s sex change, the journalists are contributing to the conversation about sex-change and increasingly popular movements to normalize comfort within the realms of sexuality and gender identification. As this topic becomes more popular, the news article has a more important role; its relevance makes it real and important in the individual lives of readers. “The Birthmark” focuses on an equally controversial topic. It explores the concept of perfection and the ramifications of trying to obtain it. The end of the story encompases the flaw in Aylmer’s logic, stating, “He failed to look beyond the shadowy scope of time, and, living for all in eternity, to find the perfect future in the present” (Hawthorne). By coming to a conclusion about Aylmer’s attitude towards the birthmark, the story provides input into the discussion of controversial physical alterations for the illusion of perfection. This theme is also found in real life in body positivity campaigns as well those which encourage valuing non-physical attributes. The short story provides insight about important topics in everyday life, hence making it plausible and real. Because of their prevalence in daily life, controversial topics make both “The Birthmark” and Bruce Jenner’s news article equally realistic.
In the cases of news articles and fictional works, the reader is removed from the story to an extent. To make their writing more effective, journalists and fiction-writers alike have realistic aspects to their work. Relatable characters convey a message that resonates with readers as realistic; similarly, perspectives and controversy make the stories applicable to real life. As a result, “The Birthmark,” a fictional short story, is equally as real as the news article about Bruce Jenner’s sex change.
The presentation of opposing perspectives about controversial events in “The Birthmark” and the news article about Bruce Jenner contribute to their realistic portrayal. The journalists who wrote about Bruce Jenner’s transition to a women recognize the criticism that he will face from those who do not support sex changes. Conversely, they note that he’s receiving support, especially from loved ones. By providing both possible reactions, readers will most likely identify with at least one perspective in this news article. They’ll view the news story as relevant to their own lives and beliefs; thus, the news article is more real. Also, in “The Birthmark,” Aylmer and Georgiana spend extensive amounts of time and energy worrying about the birthmark on Georgiana’s face. They think that its removal will yield perfection to Georgiana’s otherwise seemingly unscathed being. Even still, the story provides a third party's view of Georgiana’s birthmark. Abinadab reflects, “‘If she were my wife, I’d never part with that birthmark’” (Hawthorne). Readers who don’t believe in perfection as defined by Aylmer and Georgiana find the story more relatable as their own viewpoint is recognized while others who believe that physical uniformity is necessary to “perfection” will identify with Aylmer and Georgiana. Recognition of all viewpoints is necessary in daily life, and it is present in both the news article and short story. This leads to fiction’s factual side in the case of “The Birthmark.”
The overarching theme that Nathaniel Hawthorne focuses on in “The Birthmark” is equally as realistic and prevalent as that which Ramisetti and Vanmetre focus on. Bruce Jenner’s news article focuses on the topic of a sex change. By publicising Bruce Jenner’s sex change, the journalists are contributing to the conversation about sex-change and increasingly popular movements to normalize comfort within the realms of sexuality and gender identification. As this topic becomes more popular, the news article has a more important role; its relevance makes it real and important in the individual lives of readers. “The Birthmark” focuses on an equally controversial topic. It explores the concept of perfection and the ramifications of trying to obtain it. The end of the story encompases the flaw in Aylmer’s logic, stating, “He failed to look beyond the shadowy scope of time, and, living for all in eternity, to find the perfect future in the present” (Hawthorne). By coming to a conclusion about Aylmer’s attitude towards the birthmark, the story provides input into the discussion of controversial physical alterations for the illusion of perfection. This theme is also found in real life in body positivity campaigns as well those which encourage valuing non-physical attributes. The short story provides insight about important topics in everyday life, hence making it plausible and real. Because of their prevalence in daily life, controversial topics make both “The Birthmark” and Bruce Jenner’s news article equally realistic.
In the cases of news articles and fictional works, the reader is removed from the story to an extent. To make their writing more effective, journalists and fiction-writers alike have realistic aspects to their work. Relatable characters convey a message that resonates with readers as realistic; similarly, perspectives and controversy make the stories applicable to real life. As a result, “The Birthmark,” a fictional short story, is equally as real as the news article about Bruce Jenner’s sex change.
this is gr8
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