Sin has existed for as long as humans with a moral code have. Sins dictate the morality of a person, and affect the way society sees them. Author Nathaniel Hawthorne appears to be enthralled by sinners and the consequences caused by those sins. In his novel The House of the Seven Gables, Hawthorne writes of a house built on a plot cursed by a witch and haunted by spirits, where the transgressions of past members of the Pyncheon family live on to the members of the following generations. When the villainous descendant of the unjust Colonel Pyncheon, the originator of this inherited sin, dies, it allows for a marriage between rival families to end the curse. In Hawthorne’s following novel, The Blithedale Romance, the utopian community of Blithedale …show more content…
Westervelt’s most encompassing sin is his deceiving and malicious nature. For example, throughout the novel, Westervelt proves himself to be a sort of villain, which Hawthorne exemplifies through his use of shadowy and dark imagery to describe Westervelt’s character. Although Professor Westervelt is mortal, the use of metaphors comparing him to a shadow, something dark and ambiguous in nature, demonstrate his demeanor towards the people, especially the women. Specifically, “Westervelt’s sinister intervention in the lives of Zenobia and Priscilla is irrational and perverse. Typical trickster or shadow motifs can be found in the character of Westervelt, for example, his powers as a magician, mesmerist and shape shifter.” (Patrick 73). Professor Westervelt’s nebulous and “shape-shifting” demeanor exemplifies his corrupt nature. Although Westervelt is unable to literally change his shape at will, he is able to change his own emotional and mental characteristics to deceive the people around him. Coverdale, the narrator of The Blithedale Romance, frequently describes Westervelt as a sorcerer, which ties into the idea that he is indeed able to manipulate both his and other people’s emotions. Additionally, Westervelt’s disreputable presence makes way for his greater scheme. The controlling of Priscilla, a feeble-willed woman, shows that Westervelt lacks a conscience and is …show more content…
Particularly, Hollingsworth is manipulative and controlling towards Zenobia. Hollingsworth has a notable dedication to turn the Blithedale farm in which his utopian society lives into a reform center for criminals. Though his intentions may appear benign and possibly even benevolent, the manner in which he goes about trying to raise funds for this project is despicable. He wishes to manipulate a young woman, initially Zenobia, an independent and respectable woman, into marrying him and therefore gaining her money to use as he pleases. Literary critic Sweeney aptly writes, “It is one of the many ironies of The Blithedale Romance that this independent woman [Zenobia] should fall in love with the misogynistic and egomaniacal Hollingsworth, who is seeking the resources of a rich wife to underwrite his philanthropic schemes” (Sweeney). The way in which Hollingsworth’s controlling and manipulative personality caused Zenobia, the most independent and rule-breaking woman in the novel, to fall for him, demonstrates both his ability and willingness to manipulate people to follow his will. Zenobia is not the only person who is inexplicably attracted to Hollingsworth—narrator Miles Coverdale experiences a similar phenomenon with the man as well. Coverdale’s narration of his experiences with Hollingsworth show that Hollingsworth’s sins are exemplified by his egotistical personality. Coverdale is specifically unnerved by
The Dark Side of Judge Pyncheon in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Novel, The House of the Seven Gables People in society live in a masquerade. Everyone wears a decoratively adorned mask that displays beauty, purity, and service. However, behind the mask lies on the inside of all society. One will stop at nothing in order to be well liked, thus becoming hypocrites. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The House of the Seven Gables, the narrator uses intense diction, a vivid selection of detail, and a shocking tone to reveal that the character of Judge Pyncheon resembles perfection on the outside, yet “darker traits” sit latent on the inside.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The House of Seven Gables, reveals Judge Pyncheon’s character in a strategic manner to show the shallowness in Judge Pyncheon’s good deeds. The author uses the position of details, diction, and tone to express his dislike for Judge Pyncheon’s character and also to reveal the judges character as two-fold, first good, then evil.
There is a well-known expression that states, “There are two sides to every coin.“ This is no different when it comes to Mrs. Frome. She is either Zeena, a mean, cruel hag or Zenobia, a munificent, compassionate woman. In the book Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, Zeena is described as thin and hard. While in the short story Zenobia by Gina Berrault, Zenobia is described as slender, and gentle. There are two different “Zenobias” depicted and they are very paradoxical. Each author has used her own tools to illustrate this character.
In The Scarlet Letter, the main characters Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingworth, and Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale are tangled in a web of deceit, which is the result of a sin as deadly as the Grimm Reaper himself: adultery. Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of The Scarlet Letter, describes the feeling of deceit using the main characters; for each of the cast the reaction to the deceit is different, thus the reader realizes the way a person reacts to a feeling differs between each character.
The House of the Seven Gables written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a novel that engages the reader in an intricate love story that blends history and a fanciful ancestry. Hawthorne stays true to the Romantic era’s convections through his detailed development of the plot. Through his writing, the reader can capture the emotions, morality and motives of each character. Although Hawthorne writes in the romantic style, he does not fail to go against the social norms with the plot. He defines the normal roles of women and he emphasizes the role of wealth in society. Furthermore he asserts his opinions on issues that were prevent in that time, such as, racism, slave emancipation and Jim Crow. The story was not created to just provide a creative love
Nathaniel Hawthorne's knowledge of Puritanism and his close relationship with the religion has impacted his views on those in the society. Hawthorne is critical of the Puritans and he thinks that they are hypocrites for having rules and morals that they do not follow. He sees the underlying sin that others may not. Through his many writings he makes known to his readers that everyone is guilty of sin. The Puritan's main goal was to save themselves from the sin in the world, but Nathaniel Hawthorne portrays their morals and society as troublesome through his works, "Young Goodman Brown," "The Minister's Black Veil," and The Scarlet Letter.
Nathaniel Hawthorne was one of the first American writers to pioneer the unprecedented and unforeseen gothic genre which resulted in the exposure of darker themes across America in the 19th century. This new genre sprouted the “brooding” romantics who revolved around the human’s capacity for evil as a main theme of their works. Being one of the “brooding” romantics, Hawthorne followed the Puritans’ belief that everyone is a sinner as a result of being a descendent of the Puritans associated with the infamous Salem witchcraft trials. Not only was he related to the despicable Puritans, but also, he had to live with the guilt that his dishonorable great-great grandfather, Judge Hathorne, was “the only one who refused to apologize for his role
In every generation there are certain rules and etiquette that play a large role in dictating the appropriate behavior for the time. An individual may choose to live his or her life according to this code of conduct and do fairly well, or in contrast live a life full of trials and hardship as a result of their transgression. This is especially true for the early inhabitants of 17th century colonial America, a period rife with the religious zeal and harsh castigation carried out on behalf of the Puritans who settled the area. During this time, as is still the case today, offenders of this societal moral code were made examples of and forced to suffer so that they may serve as a warning to the rest of the population. This is the case in The Scarlet Letter where the protagonist Hester Prynne is ostracized from her conservative community after committing the then unforgivable sin of adultery. In his novel, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses both themes of guilt and redemption to create trials that test his character Hester Prynne and in the process transforms her from a pitiable sinner, to a symbol of strength.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of America's most renowned authors, demonstrates his extraordinary talents in two of his most famed novels, The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. To compare these two books seems bizarre, as their plots are distinctly different. Though the books are quite seemingly different, the central themes and Hawthorne's style are closely related (Carey, p. 62). American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne is most famous for his books THE SCARLET LETTER and THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES, which are closely related in theme, the use of symbolism, characterization, and style.
Nathanial Hawthorne, an American author during the 19th century witnessed the power of sin to wreak havoc not only to an individual but a whole community. His novel The Scarlet Letter expresses this very idea by exposing the follies of mankind and the potentially detrimental effects of sin trough Hester Prynne, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth who all affected by sin in different ways. Utilizing powerful symbols and light/dark imagery, Hawthorne conveys to the readers, through these characters, the power of how one’s response to sin can positively change an individual or gradually destroy one by spreading like a contagious disease and ultimately consuming the victim.
Everyone has a different view on life. One's perception can significantly impact the way that he/she views the rest of the world. This perception can be both positive and negative. Perception often plays a big role in determining how one is viewed by both themselves and others. People are often judged by their appearance and their actions. However, it is things such as their personality and their character that truly define them as individuals. In Budge Wilson's "The Metaphor," Miss Hancock is faced with the fact that other individuals often overlook her. Though others may not be aware of what they are doing, their actions can greatly impact another individual throughout their lifetime. The way that one is perceived can both positively and negatively affect the way that others view them as an individual, which can greatly affect their entire life.
In the book, Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne expressed numerous themes throughout the course of the book. One particular theme is that characters in the novel, Dimmesdale, Hester, and even Pearl are inherently flawed humans. This idea that humanity is inherently flawed is that we were born imperfect, and during puritan times, puritans believe that through Original Sin that everyone was born with sin. However, despite being born with Original Sin, many puritans saw that these characters were sinful because of what they did. However, Nathaniel Hawthorne saw that these characters were sincerely flawed humans, like all of us.
In the book Metaphors We Live By, authors George Lakoff and Mark Johnson address the traditional philosophic view denouncing metaphor's influence on our world and our selves (ix). Using linguistic and sociological evidence, Lakoff and Johnson claim that figurative language performs essential functions beyond those found in poetry, cliché, and elaborate turns of phrase. Metaphor permeates our daily experiences - not only through systems of language, but also in terms of the way we think and act. The key to understanding a metaphor's effect on behavior, relationships, and how we make sense of our environment, can be found in the way humans use metaphorical language. To appreciate the affects of figurative language over even the most mundane details of our daily activity, it is necessary to define the term, "metaphor" and explain its role in defining the thoughts and actions that structure our conceptual system.
The road goes ever on and on. Down from the door from where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone and I must follow it if I can. Pursuing it on weary feet until I joins some larger way where many paths and errands meet and whether then I cannot say.
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, the reader is able to observe how one sin devastates three lives. Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth are all guilty of succumbing to temptation, anger, and desire, causing all to fit the definition of a sinner. Yet, Chillingworth's iniquities raise him up above Hester and Dimmesdale on the level of diabolic acts.