English 195 One of These Birthmarks

One of These Birthmarks…

Adaptations of stories by Hawthorne and García Márquez English 195: Literature and Medicine Fall 2023

Editor’s Note This Literature and Medicine course is co-enrolled with Biology 130: Bioethics. That pairing has led us, the students and professors alike, to consider questions of medical ethics throughout the semester. Our conversations about literature, science, medicine, and public health policy have been enriched as a result of this double context.

The stories in this collection are modern adaptations of two of our favorite readings from fairly early in the semester: Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark” and Gabriel García Márquez’s “One of these Days.” Students found the ethical dilemmas in these stories compelling and also noted that these narratives explore multiple issues that are still relevant today.

What follows is a collection of illustrated adaptations: retellings, modernizations, expansions—all created in the interest of pinpointing moments of tension in the practice of medicine.

The Birthmark 2 By: Nicholas Tarpley, Daren Brown, Rob Milom, and ZJ Chalmers 11/29/2023

Contributions • Nick Tarpley- Illustrations • Rob Milom and Darren Brown- Outline and the Revision • ZJ Chalmers- Conducting the story

Reflection of the past, present, and future Aylmer is struggling every day to forget that his wife had passed away. He is trying to get over the fact that his wife is gone, but he knows his life will never be the same. Aylmer decides to go to his wife’s grave and have his first conversation with her since her death which was two years ago.

When he arrives to at Berry Grove Cemetery, he parks his 2001 Ford pickup truck by the trees to make the walk to his deceased wife’s tombstone. He is flooded with tears due to sad moments and smiles due to joyful moments. He remembers when they first met in 1975 and went on their first date to the Netherland’s Movie Theater. He will always remember these past moments because they drive him to live for her.

Aminadab attempting to dig up Georgiana

Putting the pieces together When Aylmer arrives at the Cemetery, his emotions provides tears of worry and a small ounce of happiness. He is slightly happy because he believes she is still alive but is worried he doesn’t know where she may be. He is so nervous about the entire discovery, that he can’t move his hands to grab his keys out of his pocket.

It’s all devasting for Aylmer to know his wife could be alive or not. He calms down and then runs to get in his truck. His assistant Aminadab whom Aylmer hasn’t seen since Georgiana’s death, pops in Aylmer’s head as the first person to tell.

Aylmer decides to head to Aminadab’s apartment after leaving the gravesite.

Aminadab retrieving Georgiana and are ready to escape

Evidence left behind Aylmer rushes to Aminadab’s apartment to tell him the crazy news. Although they haven’t spoken in a while, he approaches his apartment still. The door is slightly cracked open, and he opens it.

Aylmer yells, “Hello” and continues to walk. From a glance on the other side of the living are two passports in a folder on Aminadab’s coffee table. Aylmer notices two clues that hurts him ins.

On the passport, there is Aminadab’s name on the and Georgiana’s name on the other. There is also Georgiana’s red bottoms lying on the ground. Aylmer yells with rage and decides to use the evidence to take with him on his search. Aylmer leaves Aminadab’s apartment and heads straight to California. He purchases the next ticket available to California to find out the truth.

Aylmer walks into Aminadab’s apartment that had a few of Georgiana’s left behind

Traveling 1,000’s of mile for the truth Aylmer is trying to process all the information that has occurred within 24 hours on the plane ride. He is questioning why she even faked her death. He believed the marriage was too much for Georgiana. He didn’t know what to believe but when he arrived in California at LAX, it was time to find out the truth he had been searching for.

He arrives at LAX and heads to the 5-star Grand Hill Hotel. He request the room number for Georgiana and is given the information due to him claiming to be her husband. He rides up the elevator to room 2404 and knocks. 5 seconds later, Aminadab opens the door and he see’s Georgiana sitting on the edge of the bed. Aylmer once again is fueled by rage and punches Aminadab. Without a word being said, Aminadab throws a punch back and a fight breaks out.

Aylmer and Georgiana’s long lost daughter Peachy runs to the door to break up the altercation.

Aylmer is traveling to find his wife that has escaped her tombstone

Why do you ask this way?

Aylmer wants answers to everything that has occurred.

He ask’s, “why?” Georgiana says, “Aminadab treats me right and doesn’t feel I have to change to accept my appearance. He shows me that just because others don’t approve of me, doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t either. He told me I was beautiful just the way I am.” Aylmer says, “why didn’t you just tell me that?” Georgiana says, “because your caught up in only what you want that judgement of how others look is more affective.”

Aylmer tries to take her hand because he wants to go home and discuss it, but she denies. “I have built a foundation that assist individuals to accept who they are and it’s billion-dollar positive industry that is growing,” Georgina says. Aylmer was lost for words because of how he had ruined his family. He slowly walked out the room to head back to his lonely home while Georgiana continued her movement that is reaching millions of people.

Aylmer is raging when he see’s Aminadab and Georgiana together but immediately regrets his wrongdoing after there conversation.

The Ending •

The point trying to be emphasized is that you should never judge someone because of there appearance. It doesn’t matter if everyone in the world may not like the looking of you, but you as the individual should never let the outside world win. You follow your path and stay confident about who you are because the real people take notice of that action.

Many people have the process of thinking that removing a feature you are born with is good but that is not true. You are born with features for a purpose and must fulfill your goals, no matter what a doctor may think. A doctor should acknowledge the pain and suffering they are putting the patient through. A doctor must not only see their side of a gain but must realize and show care for the patient to resolve the ethical problem. When enough is enough, it should be followed through.

• The original story of “The Birthmark” by Hawthorne was that Georgiana didn’t approve of her appearance with the birthmark on her cheek.

Instead of her husband standing by her side and providing reassurance that she is beautiful, Aylmer wanted to provide test to get rid of the birthmark.

Aminadab, Aylmer’s assistant, informed Georgiana she was beautiful just the way she is. Even though it didn’t have as much of an effect, Aminadab stated that instead of Aylmer. While Aylmer would continuously fail his testing like normal, Georgiana would pass because of the illness and repeated testing that didn’t help the situation.

Contributions Daren Brown- Editor Rob Milom- Editor Nick Tarpley- Illustrator ZJ- Writer For the illustrations, Nick drew by hand and then put it into Storyboard That. It created the drawings as a cartoon.

The Birthmark

Conor Harrington, Clay Topping, Miles Wilkin

Our story begins with a couple…or with a problem. Darnell is the man sitting to the right, and his wife, Mary, to the left. She tells him that his acne has gotten out of control and that she will leave him if he doesn’t do anything about it.

Darnell is in a tough situation, because nothing has been working and he has no medical solution for his acne

He strolls around the town disappointed.

Until, in an alley downtown he sees a poster for alternative acne treatment in Mexico

His wife strongly urges him to get on a plane to Mexico to undergo the sketchy procedure.

So nervously, Darnell did as his wife commanded.

The plane lands and Darnell gets a taxi. He asks the taxi driver about the acne place. The driver responds with “you better be ready” For what asks Darnell” not a word was replied by the taxi driver..

He drops Darnell off at a decrepit rundown building that is unmarked. It seems to be a hospital.

A man walks out of the building an introduces himself as Dr. Adolf von Wiggler. The Doctor has an evil laugh and a strange smile. He leads Darnell through a dark building covered with medical instruments.

Darnell is instructed to have a seat as Dr. Von Wiggler goes to fetch his assistant a young woman. The doctor and the assistant enter the room. Darnell describes his condition and how he would try anything to solve it. The doctor answers: “well I do have a certain unorthodox method”.

The assistant enters with a potion in glass. the doctor: “Darnell you must drink this if you want to cure your acne.” Darnell hesitates but gives in, drinking the potion and slowly losing consciousness.

We eventually learn that the surgery is a success and Darnell wakes up. He is overcome with joy and is sent out of the hospital on his way home.

Wife is overjoyed that he no longer has any acne, she can finally love her husband again. He fears to tell her that something may go terribly wrong in the future due to his surgery

Time goes on but eventually he gets sick because Adolf Von Wiggler made a grave mistake and exposed him to radiation.

He is finally feeling the side effects of the cancer and Darnell is transported to the local hospital.

The worst has happened. Darnell is dead. And his wife takes all of the blame for sending him in the first place.

References Hawthorne, Nathaniel, and Bliss Perry. Hawthorne. Pub. for Nelson Doubleday, by Doubleday, Page & Co., 1927.

“What Will You Create?” Gencraft, gencraft.com/. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.

One of These Days Cadence Darden, Will Robinson, Nate DuPuis

Scene 1 It was a bright Monday morning, and it was scorching hot. David Burnstein, a dentist without a degree, was awakened early this morning due to the rainfall of gunfire and the bombings last night. He was starting to get used to the noise, but as Hamas began getting closer, it was unbearable. He grew up poor and always decided to wear the same striped shirt to work. His table was cluttered, so he decided to clean up and polish a few fake teeth. Around 10 o'clock, he took a break to look at the sky through the window. He watched two Arabian babblers twirl in circles across the road on an abandoned building due to the war.

It wasn't a pleasant sight to see watching his small town crumble in front of him.

Scene 2 While watching the birds fly around, he heard his phone buzz on the table that he had just finished cleaning up. He walks over, looks down at his phone, and realizes it's his dad calling. This was an unusual sight because his dad lacks technology skills, and he knows he prefers face-to-face conversations. But he decides to answer, and his dad is frantic, speaking very fast and combobulated. Confused, he first tells his dad to slow down and asks what the issue is. His dad says, "The Hamas are planning to attack and invade many of the small towns near the Gaza strip, and you need to leave"! Now, I fully understand the seriousness of the situation. He tells his dad he will pack his things, get ready to leave and hang up the phone.

Scene 3 But while he was cleaning up his office and preparing to leave, he heard the front door creek open. He turns around and realizes his building is getting raided. He runs deep into the middle of the building into an office. After a short period, he is found, and before he can try to do anything to escape, he is held at gunpoint. While pleading for his life, he notices one of the soldier's left side of his face is swollen. The soldier demands from the dentist that he has an infected tooth, and he agrees to spare his life if he helps remove it. The dentist decides immediately and says he has to prepare for it. The soldier looks around and picks the least dirty chair he can find.

Scene 4 While the soldier is waiting, he hears the dentist say, “I have run out of medication necessary to numb the pain, so it must be done without anesthesia.” The dentist reaches down into the bin of medical tools and grabs what is needed for the procedure. Then puts on a pair of old gloves and holds a pair of pliers to grip the tooth. Most of the dentist's tools are unclean and disorganized because he is poor and cannot afford new equipment. He tells the soldier to open his mouth and brace himself. The dentist then grabs around the tooth with the pliers. Right as he is preparing to pull the tooth, he says, “Now you will pay for all the innocent lives of Israel you have destroyed.”

Scene 5 The soldier cries out in agony, and this quickly changes his mood.

The soldier becomes very timid with the dentist after the procedure. While the soldier was wiping his tears, David removed his gloves. The dentist's office is in a dirty array of papers and rubble. He explains what the soldier should do. The soldier looks back at the dentist with disgust and begins to walk out of the building. The soldier asks if there is a way to pay him somehow, and the dentist replies, "There is no way that you could repay me."

The soldier replied, "If you insist," slammed the door and left.

Contributors Page Will Robinson Cadence Darden Nate DuPuis

A Surgeon's Choice:

Jacob Miller & Brandon Williams

In a nation already grappling with discontent and division, the President of the United States stood before the nation to deliver a speech that further exacerbated the chasm between him and the people. Widely regarded as corrupt and inept, his words resonated discordantly with the sentiments of the citizens he purported to represent.

As the controversial address unfolded, a sharp crack echoed through the air as a bullet tore through the President's chest. Chaos ensued within the crowd beneath him as security personnel rushed towards the president. The last thing that could be heard before he was pulled off the stage was a loud yell of pain.

The crowd's ambivalence was palpable as the ambulance came roaring by to get to the nearby hospital.

While the crowd of people watched in anticipation of what the future looked like, the EMTs and secret service heard the crowd shouting various things along the lines of "I hope the corruption ends with his death!"

Once in the operating room, the atmosphere grew tense as the lead surgeon found himself torn between professional duty and personal convictions. As the operation progressed, the surgeon contemplated a decision that would shape indefinitely what the country would become – allowing him to perish on the operating table.

"No one would care if he died," the lead surgeon said just loud enough for the surgical team to catch. "What if I let him die right here on the operating table?"

The operating room became a battleground of conflicting loyalties, and in a dramatic turn, the president's heart stopped, and the monotonous beep of the heart monitor echoed throughout the operating room. The entire room froze, until one of the surgical techs called for a code blue.

"We have to save him now!" An intern exclaimed.

The lead surgeon spurred into action by the urgency of the moment and miraculously resuscitated the president.

The charge nurse entered the patient room, the president bearing a debilitated expression and his proxy sitting next to him, his expression seemingly holding not an ounce of emotion.

"Your surgery went well, Mr. President.

There were minor complication; however, there wasn't anything that the lead surgeon couldn't fix," the nurse said calmly.

He turned to the proxy and informed him that the lead surgeon would like to speak with him.

The lead surgeon awaits the president's proxy outside the patient room.

"Will he recover in time for his meeting next month?" The proxy asked with disregard for the president's current condition.

"It's going to be a long recovery," the doctor responded. "Should the hospital send the bill to the president or the city?" And to the doctor's inquiry, the proxy bluntly states that it is "the same damn thing."

Author's Note "A Surgeon's Choice" is an adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez's "One of These Days," a short story by the Colombian author that depicts political corruption, presents many symbols of death and decay, and bypasses conventional power dynamics. Similarly, "A Surgeon's Choice" holds themes of corruption, and it introduces the ethical implications of personal biases interfering with proper medical intervention.

Both Brandon Williams and Jacob Miller made contributions to the story and its illustrations, which were made possible by StoryBoardThat.com.

Acknowledgements • This book was made using several software illustration programs and Issuu, thanks to a campus license paid for by the Compass program.

• The editor would like to thank Mike Timma in the library for his technical support.

• We are grateful to Hawthorne, García Márquez, and all of the other authors we encountered this semester for getting us to think through tough issues from the point of view of medical practitioners, patients, families, and communities.

The End