Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) was an American novelist and short-story writer, a central figure of American Romanticism and one of the greatest writers of the 19th century. His dark, symbolic fiction explored sin, guilt, and the hidden corners of the Puritan New England conscience.
His masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter, tells of Hester Prynne, a woman condemned to wear a scarlet 'A' for adultery in a stern Puritan community, and the guilt that consumes those around her. He also wrote The House of the Seven Gables, the tale of a family curse, and many superb short stories, such as 'Young Goodman Brown.'
Descended from a judge in the Salem witch trials, Hawthorne was haunted by his Puritan heritage, which gave his fiction its brooding moral depth. He was a friend of Herman Melville, who dedicated Moby-Dick to him.
His prose is rich and symbolic. Our editions present it clearly for modern readers. Read the opening free, and read or listen with a membership.
Nathaniel Hawthorne in the library · 3 works
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The Scarlet Letter
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Frequently asked questions about Nathaniel Hawthorne
What did Nathaniel Hawthorne write?
Hawthorne wrote novels and short stories. His major novels are The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables, and The Blithedale Romance. He also wrote many acclaimed short stories, including 'Young Goodman Brown,' 'The Minister's Black Veil,' and 'Rappaccini's Daughter.' The Scarlet Letter is his most famous work.
What is The Scarlet Letter about?
Set in 17th-century Puritan Boston, it tells the story of Hester Prynne, who is publicly shamed and forced to wear a scarlet 'A' for adultery after bearing a child out of wedlock, while the child's father — a respected minister — hides his guilt. The novel explores sin, punishment, hypocrisy, and redemption. It is regarded as one of the greatest American novels.
Where should I start with Hawthorne?
The Scarlet Letter is his masterpiece and the usual place to begin. For a shorter introduction, his stories 'Young Goodman Brown' and 'The Minister's Black Veil' capture his dark, symbolic style perfectly. The short stories are a great low-commitment way to sample his work.
Why is Hawthorne's work so focused on sin and guilt?
Hawthorne was descended from prominent Puritans, including a judge at the Salem witch trials, and he was deeply preoccupied with his family's stern religious legacy and its ideas of sin and hidden guilt. This heritage gave his fiction its brooding moral intensity and its fascination with secret shame and the human conscience. It runs through nearly all his work.
Are Hawthorne's works hard to read?
His prose is rich, formal, and heavy with symbolism, which asks for some patience, and his sentences can be long. But his stories are dramatic and his themes gripping. A clear modern edition makes his powerful fiction more approachable.
When did Nathaniel Hawthorne live?
Hawthorne lived from 1804 to 1864 in New England. He published The Scarlet Letter in 1850 and The House of the Seven Gables in 1851, during a remarkable period of American literature. He was a friend of Herman Melville, who dedicated Moby-Dick to him.
Where can I read Hawthorne for free?
Hawthorne's works are in the public domain and freely available. His original 19th-century prose can be dense. Here you can read the opening free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
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