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Nathaniel Hawthorne & Dark Romanticism

Nathaniel Hawthorne & Dark Romanticism. American Literature. Nathaniel Hawthorne. Nathaniel Hawthorne (born Nathaniel Hathorne ) ; was an American novelist and short story writer . He was born in Salem, Massachusetts and critical of Puritanism

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Nathaniel Hawthorne & Dark Romanticism

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  1. Nathaniel Hawthorne & DarkRomanticism American Literature

  2. Nathaniel Hawthorne • Nathaniel Hawthorne (born Nathaniel Hathorne); was an American novelist and short story writer. • He was born in Salem, Massachusetts and critical of Puritanism • He changed his last name so he would be disassociated with relatives who participated in the Salem Witch Trials

  3. Notable Works • Hawthorne wrote several notable novels and short stories. • The Scarlet Letter (most famous novel) • “The Birthmark” published in 1846 • “The Minister’s Black-Veil” • “Young Goodman Brown”

  4. Hawthorne’s Writings • Much of Hawthorne's writing is set in/near New England • Many works are moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. • His fiction works are considered dark romanticism • He is known for developing characters who show deep psychological complexity

  5. Writings cont. • His stories suggest that guilt, sin, and evil are the most inherent natural qualities of humanity. • His works are “cautionary tales” presenting strong moral messages in order to turn us from our sinful nature • He often depicts the past to express themes of ancestral sin, guilt, and retribution.

  6. His Legacy… • Statue of Hawthorne in Salem, Massachusetts.

  7. DARK ROMANTICISM AMERICAN LITERATURE

  8. Orgin • Dark Romanticism is a reaction to the American Transcendentalism movement. • Dark Romanticismcan be considered anti-transcendental • Authors considered most representative of dark romanticism are Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and poet Emily Dickinson

  9. CHARACTERISTICS • Dark Romantics are much less confident about the notion of perfection as an innate quality of mankind, as believed by Transcendentalists. • Dark Romantics present individuals as prone to sin and self-destruction, not as inherently possessing of divinity and wisdom.

  10. Influence of Nature • Both T and DR believe Nature is a deeply spiritual force • BUT, Dark Romanticism views nature in a sinister light • Transcendentalism views nature as a divine and a universal mediator.

  11. How Dark Romantics Portray the World • To DR, the natural world is dark, decaying, and mysterious; when it does reveal truth to man, its revelations are evil • Ts advocate social reform when needed, but works of DR show humans failing in their attempts to make changes for the better

  12. Examples of Dark Romantics • “Tell-Tale Heart" by Poe • "The Birth-Mark" by Hawthorne • "The Minister's Black Veil" by Hawthorne • Moby-Dick by Melville • Bartleby the Scrivener" by Melville • The Fall of the House of Usher" by Poe • "The Raven" by Poe

  13. “The Birthmark” Free Write • What is our society’s definition of beauty? Is this ideal attainable? How do we as “common people” try to attain this beauty? • Are there individuals who meet this standard of beauty? Who and why? • What is your own personal standard of beauty and/or perfection?

  14. “The Birthmark” Questions for Reading • When Aylmer tells Georgiana about his dream, how does she react? • Upon making the joint decision to remove Georgiana’s birthmark, what does Aylmer begin to do and spend his time on? • How is the birthmark removed? • What ends up happening to Georgiana at the end of the story?

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