Nathaniel Hawthorne

This enduring novel of crime and retribution vividly reflects the social and moral values of New England in the 1840s. Nathaniel Hawthorne's gripping psychological drama concerns the Pyncheon family, a dynasty founded on pious theft, who live for generations under a dead man's curse until their house is finally exorcised by love. Hawthorne, by birth and education, was instilled with the Puritan belief in America's limitless promise. Yet -- in part...

First published in 1852, "The Blithedale Romance" is the third of Nathaniel Hawthorne's romantic novels. Set in the utopian communal farm called Blithedale in the 1840's, the novel tells the story of four inhabitants of the commune: Hollingsworth, a misogynist philanthropist obsessed with turning Blithedale into a colony for the reformation of criminals; Zenobia, a passionate feminist; Priscilla, a mysterious lady with a hidden agenda who turns out...

A collection of short stories including "The May-pole of Marymount," "The Gentle Boy," and "Endicott and the Red Cross," reflecting New England Puritans' moral insight and their history

Nathaniel Hawthorne's works are staples in the canon of American literature. The author drew upon the early Puritan influences that played a major role in the country's history and exploited them through mystery, creativity, science, and witchcraft. Hawthorne wrote with a psychological view of his characters and their motivations, allowing him to craft characters, plots, and scenes that truly represent his story's themes. His use of foreshadowing...

"The Great Stone Face" is a short story published by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850. The story reappeared in a full-length book, The Snow-Image, and Other Twice-Told Tales, published by Ticknor, Reed & Fields in 1852. It has since been republished and anthologized many times. Hawthorne sets the scene in a rural valley located in an unnamed U.S. state that resembles New Hampshire. A rock formation in a nearby notch is imagined, by many locals and visitors,...

Mosses from an Old Manse is a short story collection by Nathaniel Hawthorne, first published in 1846. Many of the tales collected in Mosses from an Old Manse are allegories and, typical of Hawthorne, focus on the negative side of human nature.

Nathaniel Hawthorne's John Inglefield's Thanksgiving describes the Thanksgiving dinner of a New England blacksmith and his family. Two chairs sit empty, one for John Inglefield's recently deceased wife, and another for daughter Prudence. Prudence's sudden and unexpected appearance causes consternation at first, then increasing joy as the family is reunited with the prodigal daughter. But what is the cause of the unspoken distance between Prudence...

A collection of short stories, journals and letters

Step into the haunting and introspective world of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Christmas Banquet. In this darkly contemplative holiday tale, Hawthorne presents a gathering unlike any other-a Christmas banquet where the guests are bound by their sorrows, regrets, and life's unfulfilled desires. The story follows a mysterious host who invites individuals to join in the festivities, creating an atmosphere filled with both somber reflection and eerie revelations. Narrated...

Short story written by famous American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne.