What is a Monster? In both “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “The Eye of the Beholder,” the women were visualized as monsters by their society. This is due to the fact that they had a quality that made them unique and different. In the "The Birthmark," Georgiana had a birthmark on her face, and it wasn’t appealing to her husband, Aylmer. In “The Eye of the Beholder,” Janet’s appearance was different from everyone she was surrounded by.
Humans are not Perfect.
These women teach us that humans are imperfect, and that many people see imperfection as a monster-like quality. They show us that being different is not always accepted, but that we shouldn’t change ourselves without knowing certain consequences will follow.
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Georgiana and Janet are Similar and Different.
The women are similar because they would both be perceived as “normal” in our society. Many people have birthmarks, and most people share features with Janet. They also both tried to change themselves. The difference between these two women is that Georgiana only wanted to change herself for her husband. Before him, she admired her birthmark. Janet wanted to change herself for others’ benefits, so people wouldn’t scream whenever she walked by because she was “ugly.”
Normal is...
The people who have declared these women to be monsters are seen as monsters in our minds. Their standard of “normal” is dependent on how everyone else in their society looks or acts. If someone is normal, it means they conform and don’t act different. These people teach us that everyone can be very judgmental.
Aylmer and the Doctor
Aylmer and the doctor are similar because they both look down on Georgiana and Janet for their appearances. They are different because Aylmer can be perceived as an average human being in our society. The doctors and nurses in “The Eye of the Beholder” are viewed as awkward-looking and weird, in contrast to Janet.
Responses to the Abnormal
We respond to people who are different by talking about them and judging them. This shows that humans can be malicious, and that they have the ability to hurt others. Our responses to people who stand out have the potential to make us monsters.
Humans are not Perfect.
These women teach us that humans are imperfect, and that many people see imperfection as a monster-like quality. They show us that being different is not always accepted, but that we shouldn’t change ourselves without knowing certain consequences will follow.
http://www.ignitumtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/apple-logo-birthmark.png
Georgiana and Janet are Similar and Different.
The women are similar because they would both be perceived as “normal” in our society. Many people have birthmarks, and most people share features with Janet. They also both tried to change themselves. The difference between these two women is that Georgiana only wanted to change herself for her husband. Before him, she admired her birthmark. Janet wanted to change herself for others’ benefits, so people wouldn’t scream whenever she walked by because she was “ugly.”
Normal is...
The people who have declared these women to be monsters are seen as monsters in our minds. Their standard of “normal” is dependent on how everyone else in their society looks or acts. If someone is normal, it means they conform and don’t act different. These people teach us that everyone can be very judgmental.
Aylmer and the Doctor
Aylmer and the doctor are similar because they both look down on Georgiana and Janet for their appearances. They are different because Aylmer can be perceived as an average human being in our society. The doctors and nurses in “The Eye of the Beholder” are viewed as awkward-looking and weird, in contrast to Janet.
Responses to the Abnormal
We respond to people who are different by talking about them and judging them. This shows that humans can be malicious, and that they have the ability to hurt others. Our responses to people who stand out have the potential to make us monsters.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0NJAPBW3qQ/UON1ouadFtI/AAAAAAAAFE0/T9YXwcp_S2A/s1600/TWZ0241_EyeOfTheBeholder001rs.jpg