If you’re a fan of classic literature, then Nathaniel Hawthorne is a name that you have likely come across. Hawthorne was one of the most famous authors of the nineteenth century, and his books are still widely read and studied today. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to the best Nathaniel Hawthorne books, including a brief introduction to the author, his life, his literary style, and the major themes that run through his works. We will also delve into the plot summaries, characters, and reception of three of his most famous books: The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables, and The Blithedale Romance.
Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American author born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1804. He was born into a family with a long history in the area, including ancestors who played prominent roles in the Salem Witch Trials. Hawthorne added the “w” to his surname to distance himself from his family’s involvement in the trials, which had a profound impact on his writing.
As a child, Hawthorne was plagued with health problems and spent much of his early life secluded in his mother’s house. Despite his illness, he attended Bowdoin College, where he became friends with the future President Franklin Pierce. After college, he lived with his family for twelve years and wrote some of his most famous works, including The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables.
In 1842, Hawthorne married Sophia Peabody and moved to Concord, Massachusetts, where he became friends with other famous authors of the time, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, and Henry David Thoreau.
The Life of Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne’s personal life was marked by tragedy and loss. His father died when he was only four years old, and his mother became overly protective of him due to his poor health. He lost his mother, two sisters, and his only son to illness and disease throughout his life. These experiences had a profound impact on his writing and contributed to the themes of loss and grief that are present in many of his works.
Despite these hardships, Hawthorne was a prolific writer who wrote novels, short stories, and essays throughout his career. He worked as a customs inspector in Salem for several years, a job he despised, but which provided him with the financial stability to pursue his writing.
The Literary Style of Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne’s writing style is characterized by his use of symbolism, allegory, and dark romanticism. He was known for exploring themes of sin, guilt, and the human condition. His works often have moral lessons and subtexts that require the reader to think critically about the characters and the situations they find themselves in.
His use of symbolism is particularly noteworthy, as he often used everyday objects to represent deeper, more complex ideas. For example, in The Scarlet Letter, the letter “A” that Hester Prynne is forced to wear represents both her sin and her strength in the face of adversity.
The Major Themes in Hawthorne’s Works
The major themes that pervade Hawthorne’s works include sin and guilt, human hypocrisy, the nature of evil, and the consequences of actions. His works often explore the dark side of human nature and the psychological effects of guilt and shame.
One of his most famous works, The Scarlet Letter, is a powerful exploration of these themes. The novel tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman who is forced to wear a scarlet letter “A” on her chest as punishment for committing adultery. Through Hester’s story, Hawthorne explores the damaging effects of guilt and shame on the human psyche, as well as the hypocrisy of the Puritan society in which the story is set.
Overall, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s works continue to be celebrated for their powerful themes, complex characters, and masterful use of symbolism. He remains one of the most important American authors of the 19th century, and his works continue to be studied and celebrated by readers around the world.
The Scarlet Letter (1850)
Plot Summary
The Scarlet Letter is perhaps Hawthorne’s most famous work. It is set in seventeenth-century Puritan New England and follows the story of Hester Prynne, a woman who has committed adultery and is forced to wear a scarlet “A” on her clothing as a symbol of her sin. The novel explores the consequences of her actions and how she deals with the guilt and shame of her transgressions.
Hester Prynne is a strong and independent woman who refuses to be shamed by the community’s condemnation of her. She raises her daughter, Pearl, alone and becomes a skilled seamstress, providing for herself and her child. Her husband, Roger Chillingworth, seeks revenge against the man who had an affair with his wife and becomes obsessed with the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Hester’s lover.
As the story unfolds, the guilt and shame of Hester and Dimmesdale become increasingly unbearable. They struggle with their love for each other, their desire for redemption, and their fear of the harsh judgment of the Puritan community. Meanwhile, Chillingworth’s revenge plot takes a dark turn, and he becomes a symbol of evil and corruption.
Key Characters
The key characters in The Scarlet Letter are Hester Prynne, her husband Roger Chillingworth, and the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, with whom Hester had the affair.
Hester Prynne is a strong and resilient woman who refuses to be defined by her sin. She is determined to make a life for herself and her daughter, despite the harsh judgment of the Puritan community.
Roger Chillingworth is a complex and vengeful character who becomes consumed by his desire for revenge. He is a symbol of the destructive power of hatred and the dangers of obsession.
The Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is a conflicted and tortured character who struggles with the guilt and shame of his sin. He is torn between his love for Hester and his duty to the church, and his inner turmoil leads to his physical and mental deterioration.
Literary Significance and Reception
The Scarlet Letter is considered a masterpiece of American literature and is regarded as one of Hawthorne’s greatest works. It is taught in many high school and college English classes and has been adapted into several movies and plays. Its exploration of the consequences of adultery and the nature of sin continues to make it relevant to contemporary readers.
The novel is also notable for its portrayal of strong female characters, particularly Hester Prynne, who defies the expectations of her society and refuses to be defined by her sin. The Scarlet Letter is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the complexities of morality, guilt, and redemption.
The House of the Seven Gables (1851)
Plot Summary
The House of the Seven Gables is a gothic novel set in the mid-1800s and tells the story of the Pyncheon family and their ancestral home. The book explores themes of guilt, pride, and the supernatural as it follows the story of the family’s haunted house and the curse that has been placed upon it. The story begins with the character of Hepzibah Pyncheon, an elderly woman who lives in the house and is struggling to make ends meet. She is haunted by the legacy of her ancestors, who were involved in the Salem witch trials and feels a deep sense of guilt and shame about her family’s past.
As the story unfolds, we meet Hepzibah’s brother, Clifford, who has recently been released from prison after serving time for a crime he did not commit. Clifford is a broken man, haunted by his time in prison and struggling to adjust to life outside. He is deeply connected to the house and its history, and his presence only adds to the sense of foreboding and darkness that surrounds the place.
Into this dark and haunted world comes Phoebe, Hepzibah’s cousin, who has been sent to live with them. Phoebe is a bright and cheerful young woman who brings a sense of hope and light to the house. She quickly forms a bond with Clifford and helps to bring him out of his shell. However, the curse of the house and the legacy of the Pyncheon family threaten to destroy their newfound happiness.
Key Characters
The key characters in The House of the Seven Gables are Hepzibah and Clifford Pyncheon, who are siblings and live in the haunted house, as well as their cousin Phoebe, who comes to live with them. Hepzibah is a proud and stubborn woman who is struggling to make ends meet. She is haunted by the legacy of her family’s past and feels a deep sense of guilt about their involvement in the Salem witch trials. Clifford is a broken man who has recently been released from prison and is struggling to adjust to life outside. He is deeply connected to the house and its history, and his presence only adds to the sense of foreboding and darkness that surrounds the place. Phoebe is a bright and cheerful young woman who brings a sense of hope and light to the house. She quickly forms a bond with Clifford and helps to bring him out of his shell.
Literary Significance and Reception
The House of the Seven Gables is another one of Hawthorne’s most famous works and is considered a classic gothic novel. Its exploration of the dark side of human nature and the psychological effects of guilt have made it a widely read and studied work. The book has been adapted into several films and television series over the years, and its themes of guilt, pride, and the supernatural continue to captivate readers to this day.
Overall, The House of the Seven Gables is a haunting and atmospheric novel that explores the complexities of human nature and the power of the past to shape our present. Its vivid characters, intricate plot, and gothic setting make it a must-read for anyone interested in classic literature or the supernatural.
The Blithedale Romance (1852)
Plot Summary
The Blithedale Romance is a novel set in a utopian community in the mid-1800s. It explores themes of love, idealism, and disillusionment as it follows the story of a group of individuals who come together to create a new society based on their own ideals. The novel explores the tensions between idealism and reality and the difficulties of creating a perfect society.
Key Characters
The key characters in The Blithedale Romance are Miles Coverdale, who is the narrator, and his fellow idealists, including Zenobia, Priscilla, and Hollingsworth.
Literary Significance and Reception
The Blithedale Romance is one of Hawthorne’s lesser-known works but is still regarded as an important one. It is considered a critique of utopian ideals and explores the difficulties of creating a perfect society. Its exploration of the darker side of human nature has made it a popular work for scholars and readers interested in Hawthorne’s psychological insights.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nathaniel Hawthorne was one of the most important American authors of the nineteenth century. His works have stood the test of time and are still widely read and studied today. Whether you are interested in exploring the psychological effects of sin and guilt, the dark side of human nature, or the difficulties of creating a perfect society, Hawthorne has a book that will resonate with you. We hope that this comprehensive guide to his best works has given you a better understanding of the author and his literary significance.
FAQs
What century was Nathaniel Hawthorne born in?
Hawthorne was born at the dawn of the nineteenth century in 1804. He lived a relatively short life, dying at the age of sixty after a prolonged period of illness.
Why is Nathaniel Hawthorne considered to be a ‘dark romantic’?
Romanticism and Dark Romanticism explore several overlapping themes, such as nature and the imagination. However, while the Romantic movement is defined by its belief in human goodness, Dark Romanticism focuses on human fallibility. This is evident in Hawthorne’s novels, which explore sin, guilt, and deception.
What is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s most popular novel?
The Scarlet Letter, written in 1852, is arguably Hawthorne’s best-known and most popular novel. It has been read in schools by generations of children and has been adapted into several different feature films.
Eddison Monroe, born 1990 in Portland, Oregon, is an accomplished and celebrated female writer and independent author. The youngest of three siblings, Eddison's passion for storytelling began during her childhood as she entertained her family with vivid tales and fantastical characters. Her nurturing environment and the encouragement of her parents, both educators, played a crucial role in shaping her literary aspirations.
Eddison's writing often explores themes of self-discovery, relationships, and the complexities of human emotions. Her works are characterized by their lyrical prose, intricate world-building, and strong, multidimensional female characters.
A strong advocate for independent publishing, Eddison frequently conducts workshops and seminars to guide budding writers in navigating the world of self-publishing. She also serves as a mentor for aspiring authors, providing them with the knowledge and tools to pursue their dreams.
