The Birthmark was originally published in the Jan.

12, 2013 issue of Scholastics

Scope magazine. Its a developmentally-appropriate adaption of Nathaniel
Hawthornes classic tale about a beautiful young woman named Georgiana. When
the noted scientist, Professor Aylmer, takes her as his bride, he becomes obsessed
with her one small flawa small, hand-shaped birthmark on her face. Aylmers
obsession soon turns to madness. Will Georgiana survive Aylmers quest to conquer
nature? Its the perfect play to inspire discussion about physical flaws and our
human tendency to point them out.
The Birthmark uses an active narrator (James) to tell the story. Hes both a
character in the play who interacts with others, as well as a narrator who speaks
directly to the audience. The play includes parts for just seven cast members,
though numerous extras could appear in scenes one and five.

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Bubble Test Comprehension Activity (CCSs RL items 1, 2, 3, 4, 10): These questions are designed to invoke
discussion. Have students cite evidence from the text when completing and reviewing. Key: 1. c; 2. d 3. d; 4. b;
5. c; 6. a; 7. a; 8. d; 9. answers will vary.

Vocabulary Activity (CCSs RL #.4 and RF #.3): This play was designed to elevate vocabulary and consequently
may be challenging for some students. The Mad Scientist Vocabulary activity covers twenty of the most
challenging ones. Students are asked to match each challenging word from the play with a simple synonym.
This activity can be done before or after reading the play.

Extension Activities:
Pair with informational texts about plastic surgery, artificial beautifications such as tanning and piercing,
or cyber bullying.
Read the original text by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Many people use our classic short story plays as both an
introduction and an extension of the original story.
Put Aylmer on trial. Stage a court scene in which prosecutors charge Aylmer with an appropriate crime
and defense attorneys defend his actions.
Enact alongside other plays. Consider pairing this with other Gothic tales such as The Monkeys Paw and
The Tell-Tale Heart. Have your class enact all three as part of a Gothic Showcase or for Halloween. These
titles are available via ReadAloudPlays.com.

2012 by Mack Lewis, All Rights Reserved ReadAloudPlays.com The Birthmark Page 7 of 10
 Adapted by Mack Lewis ReadAloudPlays.com

Cast:
Professor Aylmer, the revered scientist Georgiana, his nearly-perfect bride
James, the professors friend and the narrator of our story
Aminadab, the professors brutish assistant The Party Guests: Lady1, Lady2, Gentleman

Aylmer: And why is that?

Scene One
James (to audience): Join me, wont you! My
friend Professor Aylmer, one of the most noted
scientists of the late 1700s, is having a dinner
party to celebrate his engagement.
Aylmer: James, old friend! Welcome!
James: Ah, Aylmer, what an enlightened age we
live in! Electricity, vaccines, and now my
esteemed friend is to be married! What miracles!
I can hardly believe it!
James: A man so dedicated to his workin
love? Werent you the one who said love is little
more than a chemical reaction designed to
sustain the species?
Aylmer: When you see her youll understand.
She is a woman whose beauty is so nearly
perfect that perhaps only a scientist can fully
appreciate it.
James: Aylmer, you old dog. You shouldnt
keep your guests in suspense. Let us meet her
already!

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Aylmer: Very well. Everyone, your attention, Georgiana: Why no. It has so often been called
please. As you know, Ive cleansed the acid a charm, I guess Im simple enough to have
stains from my fingers and convinced a beautiful believed it.
young woman to become my wife. Allow me to
introduce my dearest Georgiana. Aylmer: Upon another face it might be
charming, but not on yours, Georgiana. No, you
James (to audience): Naturally, the guests were came so nearly perfect into this world that this
enthralled, reacting to her beauty first with oohs slightest defect shocks me.
and ahs . and then as only humans can.
Georgiana: Shocks you? Then why did you ever
Lady1: Perfect beauty is an understatement! marry me? You cant love what shocks you!
Shes stunning!
James: Reddening
Lady2: It might be with anger she burst
true if it werent for into tears and fled the
that birthmark on her room.
face. Its shaped like a
tiny human hand! Aylmer (shuddering):
Egh! Have you ever
Gentleman: Come Has it ever seen anything like it,
occurred to
now! All the men I you that your
James? Its like a
know find it attractive. birthmark crimson stain upon
Its as if the tiniest of could be the snow!
fairies has impressed removed?

its magic upon her James: Professor,

cheek. your directness cut
Copp, PD-US her to the core. You
Lady2: Dont be silly. should let it go. How
Its a mortal flaw. hard can it be to ignore such a small thing?

Gentleman: But isnt it our flaws that make us Aylmer: Small thing? Its all I see. But thanks to
human? science it can be removed. Stay with us, James,
and I will show you.
Lady1: Youre right. Now that I see it, it
practically ruins her. Why, it looks like a bloody
hand. Shes hideous.

Scene Three
James: Foolishly, I did stay, and later that night

Scene Two I was present when Georgiana finally relented.

Georgiana: I give in. Remove this thing you call

James: Weeks later on a return visit I found my
friend gazing at his wife.
Aylmer: Georgiana, has it ever occurred to you
that your birthmark could be removed?
a blemish!
James: The professor called to his brutish
assistant, Aminadab, a man whose coarse laugh
and ape-like features exposed his low stature.

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Aylmer: Aminadab, its time. James: Deeper still he wrenched. I watched
horrified as Georgianas body began to struggle
Aminadab: Heh, heh, heh. So be it, sir. But if against the professors knife. Stop it! I called.
you ask me, were she my wife Id never part Youre killing her! But Aminadabs strong hands
with that birthmark. held me back even as his guttural laugh echoed
through the chamber.
Aylmer: But she is not your wife. Now do as I
say! Aminadab: Heh, heh, heh!

James: I watched, stunned, as the rugged oaf Aylmer: Here it is at last!

clasped a cloth over Georgianas face. It no
doubt contained a powerful elixir, as it caused James: And suddenly the professor was holding
her to immediately faint away. Aminadab then aloft her still-pulsing heart! or so I was told
threw her over his shoulder when I ran down the hall to the
and carried her to the professors room.
laboratory.
Strap her
firmly to the
Georgiana: Wake up, husband!
Aylmer: Strap her firmly table, You were dreaming about the
to the table, Aminadab. Aminadab. awful hand!

James: Is that really James: The professor rubbed his

necessary? eyes and reluctantly recounted
the nightmare.
Aylmer: We mustnt take
any chances during such a Georgiana: Enough, Aylmer,
delicate operation. From Weird Tales v36 n1, HansBok, PD (expired)
enough! What will it take to rid
me of this fatal birthmark? Surely
James: Inside the lab, a single lamp shown over I wont be deformed. Surely this stain cant go as
the table where the beautiful Georgiana lay deep as life itself!
unconscious. In the background, beakers and
flasks of grayish chemicals bubbled furiously, Aylmer: Georgiana, Ive been giving much
spewing sulfurous odors. thought to this. Im convinced I can remove it
and correct what Nature left imperfect.
Aylmer: Scalpel.
Georgiana: Then do it, whatever the risk!
James: I watched as the professor began cutting Danger is nothing to me, for as long as this
away the flesh on his wifes cheek. hateful mark makes me the object of your
disgust, life is a burden which I would fling
Aylmer: Hmm. It is less superficial than I down with joy. Either remove this dreadful hand,
thought. or take my wretched life!

James: The professor sponged away the blood

and cut deeper.

Aylmer: This is odd. It seems to be firmly

Scene Four
rooted. Yes, its in her heart now. We must have
James: I was there the next day, too, when the
it out!
professor began preparations in his study.

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