Studying Hawthorne: One Writer’s Fascination with Human Nature AP English IV English 1302

Nathaniel Hawthorne: American Romanticist Hawthorne and Human Nature Hawthorne 1804-1864 Hawthorne’s works demonstrate a fascination with the human psyche and human motivation. Hawthorne's works probe into human nature, especially its darker side. Overall, Hawthorne’s works demonstrate a “haunting” of his Puritan past.

He set many stories against the somber background of Puritan New England, the world of his ancestors. Unlike most fiction writers of his time, he was not primarily interested in stirring the reader by sensational or sentimental effects. Hawthorne called his writing "romance," which he defined as a method of showing "the depths of our common nature." To Hawthorne, romance meant confronting reality, rather than evading it. Hawthorne often dealt with the themes of morality, sin, and redemption

Major Themes in Hawthorne’s works Hypocrisy v. candor Presumed guilt v. innocence Belief in fate or free will The penalties of isolation Crimes against the human heart Patriarchal power Truths available to the mind via dream or reverie The impossibility of earthly perfection

“The Minister’s Black Veil” A tale of inherent sin and hypocritical human nature. Set in an 18th century Puritan town. Critiques the Puritan perspective of original sin (ancestral sin—man is born into sin because of Adam’s fall) Symbols: the veil symbolizes the practices of Puritan society. A Parable: a story that teaches a lesson. What is the lesson of this narrative?

“Young Goodman Brown” “Goodman” is not the character’s first name, but a term of respect used to refer to one another, similar to “Mr.” “Goody” is the female form. Set in Puritan New England, the town prides itself on both its sense of community and its religious values. When YGB watches his wife, minister, religious leaders, and peers participate in a Satanic ritual, he is forced to make a difficult decision.

Connections to Romanticism Consider how these stories contain elements of the strange/sinister. How do these stories analyze the role of guilt in people’s lives? How do these stories capitalize on notions regarding human nature? What is the nature and purpose of knowledge?

“The Birthmark” Examines the human obsession with perfection. Symbolism: the birthmark represents many things throughout the story, but perfection and morality are its primary representation. From a Romantic perspective, the story also touches on the dangers of scientific exploration. Consider how Alymer is like Victor. Alymer’s pursuit of perfection is tragic. His refusal of “the best nature has to offer” becomes his destruction as well as the destruction of those around him.