The Blithedale Romance
Jan 2021 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
189
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About this ebook
The Blithedale Romance (1852) is a novel by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is the third major "romance", as he called the form. Its setting is a utopian farming commune based on Brook Farm, of which Hawthorne was a founding member and where he lived in 1841. The novel dramatizes the conflict between the commune's ideals and the members' private desires and romantic rivalries.
About the author
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) stands as a towering figure in American literature, renowned for his exploration of moral complexity and the human condition. Born in Salem, Massachusetts, Hawthorne's lineage included a judge involved in the infamous Salem witch trials, a fact that haunted and influenced his dark, introspective writing style. His works often delve into themes of sin, guilt, and redemption, reflecting the Puritanical roots of his upbringing.Hawthorne's early life was marked by seclusion and intense literary apprenticeship. After graduating from Bowdoin College, where he befriended future president Franklin Pierce and poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, he spent years in relative isolation, honing his craft. His breakthrough came with the publication of "Twice-Told Tales" in 1837, a collection of short stories that garnered critical acclaim.Hawthorne's most celebrated novels, "The Scarlet Letter" (1850) and "The House of the Seven Gables" (1851), cemented his reputation as a master of American fiction. "The Scarlet Letter," in particular, is lauded for its pioneering exploration of complex female characters and its critique of societal norms, making it a staple in discussions of feminist literature.Controversially, Hawthorne was ambivalent about the burgeoning Transcendentalist movement, despite his close association with its leaders, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. His skepticism about their idealism is evident in his satirical work, "The Blithedale Romance" (1852).Hawthorne's influence extends to contemporary writers who admire his psychological depth and narrative innovation. His legacy endures as a foundational voice in American literature, continually inviting readers to ponder the moral intricacies of human nature.
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