Intelligence Without Wisdom and Hubris, Bane of The Learned Nathaniel Hawthornes The Birthmark and Chinua Achebes

Dead Mens Path have more in common than being parables of great historical significance. Arguably they both possess interpretively identical themes. The theme they have in common is hubris and the destruction of ones own dreams through blind idealism. To flesh out this theme it is apt to break it down in three components. First, the theme is carried by a single, learned, male protagonist. Secondly, this protagonist attempts through his own specialized craft to bring his own particular goals or dream, if you will, to fruition. Lastly and most importantly, each male sabotages his own goals through a blind idealism shaped by his own hubris. Ultimately these stories are parables of two men who had heaven in their hands and wake up in a hell of their own creation. The Birthmark, in contrast with Dead Mens Path, is a more personal example a man with an idealized vision of how things should be. In The Birthmark the primary conflict was directly between Aylmer and his distaste for his wifes birthmark, though feasibly representative of a broader conflict between him and the innate flaws of all natural life, the focal point of Aylmers contempt was tangible and present in a very real way. Alternatively the conflict of Dead Mens Path was between Michael Obi and the regional culture surrounding Ndume Central School. Though he literally only argued with the local medicine man Ani, it was the will of the people, their very culture, that Obi represented and Michael found to be simply incredible. (346). This contrast says more than the mere scope of the conflicts presented, it shows the scope of each mans endeavors. While Aylmer spent his life trying to expose the mechanics of Mother Nature, an act culminating in his attempts to thwart those mechanics in his wife; Michael spent his life attempting to educate the masses, which culminated in his acts against an indigenous culture, to eradicate just such beliefs as that. (347). More is the contrast that Michael Obi was seemingly content with his wife so that his bane was outside of her but Aylmer seemed much content with all he had discovered until taking a wife and his goals turned inward, towards her.

In both The Birthmark and Dead Mens Path the protagonists are men of educated backgrounds and great vision. The pivotal trait they additionally have in common is a blind idealism in relation to their goals. In The Birthmark this idealism is best exemplified by this exchange between Aylmer and his wife Georgiana: has it never occurred to you that the mark upon your cheek might be removed? To tell you the truth, it has so often been called a charm, that I was simple enough to imagine it might be so. Ah, upon another face, perhaps it might, replied her husband. But never on yours! No, dearest Georgiana, you came so nearly perfectly from the hand of Nature, that this slightest possible defect - which we hesitate whether to term a defect of a beauty-shocks me, as being the visible mark of earthly imperfection. (226). Aylmer acknowledges that he would not think badly of Georgianas mark were it not for her being nearly perfect. As evident in the previous quote he even cites her mark as being an earthly imperfection, as though Georgiana should not possess such a natural human quality. In doing so he demonstrates his belief that his wife should fit a standard above all else, putting her on an idealized pedestal that merits a critique unique to her alone, as though she should be more than human. In Dead Mens Path Michael Obi proves himself an idealist most effectively when he says, I was thinking what a grand opportunity weve got at last to show these people how a school should be run. (346): However, this is not an example of blind idealism. There can be no argument for blind idealism unless idealist ethics such as were stated previously cross over the threshold of reason into irrationality. It was not neccesarily wrong for Headmaster Obi to wish to modernize the Ndume Central Schools educational system, but when his idealism interfered with the goal it meant to protect (A better education in a superior environment) Michael demonstrated hubris and blind idealism. The thin red line was crossed when Mr. Obi ignored the reasonable petitions of the Holy Man Ani, not when Obi decided to block the path but when he decided to leave it blocked by belligerent disregard for Anis modest proposal did he prove himself a blind idealist guilty of hubris.

Hubris, pride, twisted dreams and blind idealism; all of these elements coalece into a nightmare situation that brought two great men to their metaphorical knees. Which showcases how such men with noble intentions in their hearts and the intellectual prowess to accomplish the utopian ideals flowering in their minds, did not possess the wisdom to appreciate an outcome that is best for everyone, not just themselves. Their pride, their blind idealism, shrouded their perception of other outcomes in which all could exist happily. Whether that outcome involved a wife who enjoys tanning, as well as concealer, or a school that gradually lifts the veil of superstition from a local culture over time, either outcome would result in a better future with little to no conflict in its creative history.

Works Cited Nathaniel Hawthone. The Birthmark Literature and the Writing Process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X Day and Robert Funk. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice, 2007. 225-35 Chinua Achebe. Dead Mens Path Literature and the Writing Process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X Day and Robert Funk. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice, 2007. 345-48