A Comprehensive Study of Nathaniel Hawthorne's Literary Contributions

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne's significant contributions to American literature, focusing on his unique writing style, use of symbolism, and exploration of complex themes. The essay delves into two of Hawthorne's major works, 'Young Goodman Brown' and 'The Birthmark,' examining his profound insights into the human psyche, the nature of good and evil, and the impact of sin and guilt. Furthermore, it offers a detailed examination of 'The Scarlet Letter,' exploring the characters of Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth, and their roles in the novel's exploration of sin, freedom, and societal judgment. The essay also touches upon 'The House of the Seven Gables' and 'The Marble Faun,' highlighting Hawthorne's consistent engagement with themes of morality, human flaws, and the complexities of life. The writing style of Hawthorne is also discussed, emphasizing his use of allegory and imagery, and his place as a major figure in English literature. The essay concludes by emphasizing Hawthorne's lasting impact on American literature and his exploration of the human condition.

Running head: Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work
Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 1
Introduction
Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the most popular names of English literature with his
unique style of writing short stories and novels which has been largely considered as the first
American psychological genre of writing. With his skill of vices and art of perfection Hawthorne
dug deep while introspecting the human mind and souls. Through the work ‘The scarlet letter’,
Hawthorne took a deeper insight into human guilt, mortality, protective nature and the tendency
of defending the human beings from the harsh external realities. The major features of
Hawthorne writing which make him one of the most noteworthy writers of the English literature
is his use of allegory and symbolism. The entire course of the discussion sheds light on the two
major works of Hawthorne namely, ‘Young Goodman Brown’ and ‘The Birthmark’ while
critically analyzing the contribution of Hawthorne and his style of writing. In addition the most
remarkable work of Hawthorne ‘The Scarlet Letter’ along with other works will also be
discussed.
The keen interest of reading was developed among Nathaniel when he became immobile
due to a leg injury. The interest and hobby of reading later drove Nathaniel to opt to become a
writer. Hawthorne completed his schooling from Bowdoin College where he made friends with
another most well known name of English literature Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Gale).
Hawthorne wrote the very first short story when he was in college. The short stories named ‘The
Hollow of Three Hills’ and ‘An Old Woman’s Tale’ are some of the stories by Nathaniel that
deserve mention. By the year of 1832, Hawthorne penned down the greatest works of his life,
such as, ‘Roger Malvin’s Burial’, ‘Twice Told Tales’ and ‘My Kinsman, Major Molineux’.

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 2
All these works made him famous among the contributors of English Literature.
Hawthorne moved to Salem after he was married. He was appointed there as a surveyor using his
political connections. However soon was dismissed from his position since his political
connections could not save his job. The incident was a blessing in disguise as he put himself
entirely into penning down the masterpiece named ‘The Scarlet Letter’ (Poe, Nathaniel and
Charles). The story is all about two lovers who clashed with Puritan Moral Law. The book
secured its name in the history for its mass-produced publications in the country of the United
States of America. The wide distribution of the book throughout the state made the author
renowned.
Nathaniel’s work
‘Young Goodman Brown’
Hawthorne’s the ‘Young Goodman Brown’ is one of the most renowned piece work
which received recognition from critics. Like other works, Hawthorne set the Puritan New
England of the 17th century. In this story, Hawthorne particularly focuses on the psychology of
sin through the characterization and its manipulations of symbolism (Hawthorne). Hawthorne
makes the symbolic significance of time, objects, places and names very prominent as seen in the
line, “the fiend in his own shape is less hideous than when he rages in the breast of men”
(Hawthorne). The story certainly does not fall under the category of a mere religious narrative
which revolves around the undeniable evils of life. “Evil is the nature of mankind” is perhaps the
most remarkable statement of the story which is uttered by the devil. In this regard, the line,
“Depending upon one another's hearts, ye had still hoped that virtue was not all a dream. Now,
are ye undeceived? Evil is the nature of mankind,” deserves mention since it reflects two of the
major themes of the story is memory and past, good and evil (Hawthorne).

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 3
‘The Birthmark’
Meanwhile, another short story of Hawthorne also needs mention since it holds relevance
in modern society. Like the ‘Young Goodman Brown’, Hawthorne in his story ‘The Birthmark,’
focuses on the theme of original sin “a crimson stain upon the snow, in what Aylmer sometimes
deemed an almost fearful distinctness” (Hawthorne). In order to do that, several haunting
symbols have been used by Hawthorne which suggests human flaw, such as, the black veil of the
minister, the scarlet letter worn by Hester Prynne, Rappacinnni’s daughter’s bad breath and so
on. Similarly, the birthmark itself played a role of a symbol. The line “his wife’s liability to sin,
sorrow, decay, and death,” generates the symbolic value in relation with the Calvinistic frame of
Aylmer’s mind (Hawthorne).
‘The Scarlet Letter’
The protagonist of the novel ‘The Scarlet Letter’ has been portrayed by Nathaniel as a
young married woman who during her staying apart from her husband had given birth of an
illegitimate child. The entire setting of the novel was set in a village of Puritan New England
(Baldwin). As the novel unfolds gradually, it was seen that the protagonist, Hester Prynne’s
husband, Roger Chilliongworth comes to New England in order to find his wife. Chillingworth’s
motive was to make his wife pilloried and making her wear the ‘A’ the letter on her dress as a
means of punishment for carrying an illicit relation and her unwillingness to reveal the name of
the father to the illegitimate child. The events of the novel showed Chillingworth’s as an
obsessed person with figuring out the name of his wife’s lover. Finally, he managed to learn that
his wife lover is a young minister namely Arthur Dimmesdale.

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 4
After he gained knowledge about the person whom his wife loves, he began tormenting
the person with a purpose to take revenge. In the entire story, Hester featured as a person with
full of compassion. She has been projected as a self-reliant heroine (Bell). His image of a non-
repenting woman further added gravity to the novel. She neither blamed herself nor his lover for
sinning. Instead, he considers the act of adultery was their way expressing deep love to each
other. The three main characters of the novel gave different reflections. For example, at the very
end, Chilliongworth along with his monomaniac pursuit of revenge was shown to have been
degraded morally. At the same time, Dimmesdale is seen to have been broken due to his sense of
guilt. He ends up in confessing his act of adultery with Hester and breathes his last at the arms of
his lover, Hester (Pennell). While the two of the characters have been concluded with a tragic
note, Hester has been shown by the novelist full of optimism towards a bright future since she
makes plans of going to Europe in order ensure the bright future of her beloved little girl. The
novel for its artistic characterization not only secured its fame, instead it is considered mainly as
a milestone in the literature of English which is worth to be studied. The very line “she had not
known the weight until she felt the freedom” strongly establishes the one of the most dominant
themes of the novel that is freedom (Hawthorne).
‘The House of the Seven Gables’
The other novel, ‘The House of the Seven Gables’ is one the hand is a dark work in
hereditary sin based on a legend of a curse. The major themes exhibited by Hawthorne in the
novel are pride, arrogance, greed and so on with the most famous line of the novel is perhaps
“Shall we never never get rid of this Past? ... It lies upon the Present like a giant's dead body”
(Hawthorne). Meanwhile, the unique creation of Hawthorne is ‘The Marble Fun’. The whole

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 5
novel predominantly centers on the themes of critical awareness regarding life’s possibilities as
well as complexity.
Writing style
Prevalently known for his novel named 'The Scarlet Letter' and also 'The House of Seven
Gables' Nathaniel Hawthorne was a standout amongst the most perceived name in the writing of
English dialect. Hawthorne was conceived in the time of 1804 in Massachusetts. His innovative
pieces incorporate short stories like 'Roger Malvin's Burial', 'Youthful Goodman Brown', 'The
accumulation of Twice-Told Tales and 'My Kinsman, Major Molineux' et cetera. In the
meantime, the famous books of Nathaniel are: 'The Scarlet Letter' and 'The House of the Seven
Gables' (Hawthorne). The real highlights of Hawthorne composing which makes him a standout
amongst the essential scholars of English writing is his utilization of purposeful anecdote and
imagery. The unmistakable fascination of perusing was created among Nathaniel when he wound
up stationary because of leg damage. The intrigue and leisure activity of perusing later drove
Nathaniel to pick to wind up an essayist. Hawthorne finished his tutoring from Bowdoin College
where he made companions with another most notable name of English writing Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow. Hawthorne composed the simple first short story amid the time when he
was in school. The short stories named 'The Hollow of Three Hills' and 'An Old Woman's Tale'
is a portion of the accounts by Nathaniel that merit notice. Constantly of 1832, Hawthorne wrote
down the best works of his life, for example, 'Roger Malvin's Burial', 'Twice Told Tales' and 'My
Kinsman, Major Molineux'. Every one of these works made him prevalent among contributors to
English Literature (Gale). Hawthorne moved to Salem after he was hitched. He was designated
there as a surveyor utilizing his political associations. Anyway before long was expelled from his
situation since his political associations couldn't spare his activity. The occurrence was a

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 6
surprisingly positive development as he put himself altogether into writing down the perfect
work of art named 'The Scarlet Letter'. The story is around two darlings who conflicted with
Puritan Moral Law (Edgar, Nathaniel and Charles). The book anchored its name in the history
for its mass-created productions in the nation of the United States of America. The wide
dissemination of the book all through the country made the writer eminent.
The hero of the novel 'The Scarlet Letter' has been portrayed by Nathaniel as a youthful
wedded lady who amid her remaining separated from her significant other had given birth of an
ill-conceived kid (Baldwin). The whole setting of the novel was set in a town of Puritan New
England. As the novel unfurls step by step, it was seen that the hero, Hester Prynne's significant
other Roger Chilliongworth comes to New England all together discover his better half.
Chillingworth's theme was to make his better half pilloried and making her wear the 'A' the letter
on her dress as a means of discipline for conveying an unlawful connection and her reluctance to
uncover the name of the dad to the ill-conceived youngster.
The occasions of the novel demonstrated Chillingworth’s as a fixated individual with
making sense of the name of his significant other's sweetheart. At long last, he figured out how
to discover that his better half darling is a youthful clergyman in particular Arthur Dimmesdale.
After he picked up learning about the individual whom his better half cherishes, he started
tormenting the individual with a reason to deliver retribution (Bell). In the whole story, Hester
included as a man with brimming with empathy. She has been anticipated as a courageous,
independent woman. His picture of a non-atoning lady additionally added gravity to the novel.
She neither censured herself nor his darling for submitting sin. Instead, he considers the
demonstration of infidelity was their direction communicating profound love to one another. The
three fundamental characters of the novel gave several reflections. For instance, at the open end,

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 7
Chilliongworth alongside his monomaniac quest for reprisal was appeared to have been
corrupted ethically (Damon-Bach). In the meantime, Dimmesdale has been broken because of his
feeling of blame. He winds up in admitting his demonstration of infidelity with Hester and
inhales his last at the arms of his darling, Hester. While the two of the characters have been
finished up with a sad note, Hester has been appeared by the writer brimming with positive
thinking towards a brilliant future since she makes arrangements of going to Europe altogether
guarantee the splendid eventual fate of her darling young lady. The epic for its creative portrayal
just anchored its notoriety, instead it is considered to a great extent as a development in the
writing of English which is worth to be contemplated.
The other novel, 'The House of Seven Gables’ is one the hand is a thoughtful work in
inherited sin dependent on a legend of a revile (Pennell). The real subjects exhibited by
Hawthorne in the novel are pride, arrogance, eagerness et cetera. In the meantime, the essential
making of Hawthorne is 'The Marble Fun'. The entire novel predominantly bases on the themes
of basic mindfulness seeing life's potential outcomes and also intricacy (Rodríguez).
The main character of the novel 'The Scarlet Letter' has been portrayed by Nathaniel as
an energetic married woman who in the midst of her staying isolated from her loved one had
given birth of a cockeyed child (Hawthorne). The entire setting of the novel was set in a town of
Puritan New England. As the novel spreads out well ordered, it was seen that the legend, Hester
Prynne's loved one Roger Chilliongworth comes to New England all together find his significant
other. Chillingworth's subject was to improve his half pilloried and making her wear the 'A' the
letter on her dress as a means of control for passing on an unlawful association and her hesitance
to reveal the name of the father to the cockeyed adolescent. The events of the novel showed
Chilliongworth as a focused individual with understanding the name of his loved one's

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 8
sweetheart. Finally, he made sense of how to find that his significant other sweetheart is an
energetic pastor specifically Arthur Dimmesdale (Hawthorne). After he grabbed finding out
about the person whom his significant other appreciates, he began tormenting the person with
motivation to convey requital. In the entire story, Hester included as a man with overflowing
with compassion. She has been foreseen as a free, brave lady. His image of a non giving penance
woman moreover added gravity to the novel. She neither blamed herself nor his dear to submit
sin. Or maybe, he considers the show of disloyalty was there heading conveying significant love
to each other. The three principal characters of the novel gave various reflections. For example,
at the open end, Chilliongworth close by his monomaniac journey for retaliation was appeared to
have been undermined morally.
Meanwhile, Dimmesdale has been broken in light of his sentiment of fault. He ends up in
conceding his exhibition of disloyalty with Hester and breathes in his last at the arms of his dear,
Hester (Hawthorne). While the two of the characters have been done up with a dismal note,
Hester has been showed up by the essayist overflowing with real reasoning towards a beautiful
future since she makes courses of action of going to Europe all together certification the
marvelous inevitable destiny of her sweetheart young woman (Gale). The epic for its inventive
depiction none just tied down its reputation, instead it is considered, as it were, as advancement
in the composition of English which is worth to be pondered.
The main character of the novel 'The Scarlet Letter' has been portrayed by Nathaniel as a
vivacious wedded lady who amidst her remaining segregated from her cherished one had given
birth of an askew youngster (Poe, Nathaniel and Charles). The whole setting of the novel was set
in a town of Puritan New England. As the novel spreads out very much arranged, it was seen that
the legend, Hester Prynne's adored one Roger Chilliongworth comes to New England all together

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 9
locate his life partner. Chillingworth's subject was to enhance his half pilloried and making her
wear the 'A' the letter on her dress as a means of control for passing on an unlawful affiliation
and her aversion to uncovering the name of the dad to the crooked pre-adult. The occasions of
the novel indicated Chilliongworth as an engaged individual with understanding the name of his
cherished one's sweetheart. At long last, he understands how to find that his life partner
sweetheart is a lively minister particularly Arthur Dimmesdale. After he got getting some
answers concerning the individual whom his life partner acknowledges, he started tormenting the
individual with inspiration to pass on requital.
In the whole story, Hester included as a man with flooding with sympathy (Bell). She has
been anticipated as a free bold woman. His picture of a non giving retribution lady, besides,
added gravity to the novel. She neither pointed the finger at herself nor his dear to submit sin. Or
then again perhaps, he considers the show of traitorousness was there heading passing on
noteworthy love to one another. The three principal characters of the novel gave different
reflections. For instance, at the open end, Chilliongworth near to his monomaniac venture for
countering was appeared to have been undermined ethically. In the interim Dimmesdale has been
broken in light of his supposition of the blame. He winds up in yielding his display of
unfaithfulness with Hester and takes in his last at the arms of his dear, Hester. While the two of
the characters have been done up with a terrible note, Hester has been appeared by the writer
flooding with positive thinking towards an awe-inspiring future since she makes strategies of
going to Europe all together accreditation the brilliant unavoidable predetermination of her
sweetheart young lady (Damon-Bach). The epic for its innovative delineation none only secured
its notoriety, instead it is considered, in a manner of speaking, as a progression in the
arrangement of English which is worth to be contemplated. The other novel, ‘The House of

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 10
Seven Gables’ is one the hand is a serious work in acquired sin subject to a legend of a censure
(Hawthorne). The original subjects exhibited by Hawthorne in the novel are pride, arrogance,
energy and so forth. Meanwhile, the first creation of Hawthorne is 'The Marble Fun'. The whole
novel predominantly bases on the themes of essential care seeing life's potential results and
furthermore unpredictability.
Conclusion
Thus in order to conclude, it can be stated that Nathaniel Hawthorne’s style of writing
falls under some of the American writing which has the characteristical theme of transcended
time. The major aspects of the writings are hypocrisy, sin, guilt and so on which are still
debatable in the present day. Nathaniel Hawthorne through his writing left his readers with a
unique perspective to explore those aspects from a unique time. The discussion began with
giving an overview of biography of Hawthorne and then proceeded with elaborating the features
of his writing while giving instances. With the great novels namely The Scarlet Letter' and in
addition 'The House of Seven Gables', Nathaniel Hawthorne was a standout amongst the most
perceived names of English laureates. His remarkable pieces included short stories like 'Roger
Malvin's Burial', 'Young Goodman Brown', 'The Collection of Twice-Told Tales and 'My
Kinsman, Major Molineux' etc. In the meantime, the prevalent books of Nathaniel are ‘'The
Scarlet Letter' and 'The House of the Seven Gables' (Hawthorne). The main highlights of
Hawthorne composing which make him a standout amongst the most important essayists of the
English writing is his utilization of moral story and imagery.

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 11
References
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The birth-mark. Aubier-Flammarion, 1968.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Young Goodman Brown. Booklassic, 2015.
Baldwin, Martha. "“The ghosts of departed cook-maids looked wonderingly on”.
Bell, Michael Davitt. Hawthorne and the Historical Romance of New England. Princeton
University Press, 2015. Specters of Servitude in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of the Seven
Gables." Nathaniel Hawthorne Review 41.1 (2015): 57-74.
Damon-Bach, Lucinda. "Inspiration or Competition? Catharine Sedgwick's Influence on
Nathaniel Hawthorne." Nathaniel Hawthorne Review 41.1 (2015): 1-32.
Gale, Cengage Learning. A Study Guide for Nathaniel Hawthorne's" My Kinsman, Major
Molineux". Gale Cengage Learning, 2016.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Passages From the French Italian Note-Books of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Read Books Ltd, 2015.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The house of the seven gables. e-artnow sro, 2015.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Young Goodman Brown. Charles River Editors via PublishDrive, 2018.
Pennell, Melissa McFarland. "13 Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter: A Romance
(1850)." Handbook of the American Novel of the Nineteenth Century 7 (2018).
Poe, Edgar Allan, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Charles Brockden Brown. "Early American
Gothic." The Literature of Terror: Volume 1. Routledge, 2014. 175-196.

Nathaniel Hawthorne and his work 12
Rodríguez Sanchidrián, Débora. "Solving Misconceptions About American Gothicism: a Journey
Through Charles Brockden Brown, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe’s Most
Representative." (2016).