He continually uses this form of literary element. He uses symbolism when he speaks of a "geranium with yellow spots that covered all its leaves" (Hawthorne, 342). This continues to show how things seen every day can be seen from different perspectives depending on the reader. The reader's attention is drawn to the imperfection of the flower. Aylmer is desperate to erase all traces of wrongdoing. He is blind to the beauty that is right in front of him. He doesn't appreciate the world he finds himself in or the true beauty that the flower holds, much less his wife. As the reader becomes more and more intrigued by the outcome of Aylmer and Georgina's quest for what they believe to be perfection, it becomes abundantly clear that there will be a price to pay for this endeavor. The reader knows well that on earth there is no perfection. In fact, people all have flaws. Which, in a funny way, is perfect. The truth is that Georgina can achieve perfection, but the only way to achieve this unattainable goal is to do it.