How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Even Pygmalion, when his sculptured woman assumed life, felt not greater ecstasy than mine will be.'' (19)
Pygmalion is a figure from Greek mythology who sculpts the perfect woman out of ivory and then falls in love with her. The Gods make her real so that the two of them live happily ever after. The relevance to "The Birthmark" comes in when we think about Aylmer's God-complex and his need to become a creator who can rival nature.
Quote #5
"Aminadab! Aminadab!'' shouted Aylmer, stamping violently on the floor. (25)
If Aminadab really does represent religion, as his name suggests, then passages like this one suggest that religion really has been brought under the yoke of science (represented by Aylmer). The scientist orders him around and takes the dominant role.
Quote #6
With his vast strength, his shaggy hair, his smoky aspect, and the indescribable earthiness that incrusted him, he seemed to represent man's physical nature; while Aylmer's slender figure, and pale, intellectual face, were no less apt a type of the spiritual element. (26)
If Aminadab is meant to represent religion, as his name suggests, and Aylmer science, then why is Aylmer the spiritual one? Doesn't Hawthorne contradict his own symbolism? Check out "Characters" for more on this.