| − | '''Nathaniel Hawthorne''' (b. 1804 in [[Salem, Massachusetts]], d. 1864) was one of the most prominent [[American]] novelists of the 19th century. He also wrote many short stories, and most of his work dealt with depressing topics such as guilt and shame. His best-known novel, ''[[The Scarlet Letter]]'', dealt with both of these themes, as did his well-known short story ''The Minister's Black Veil''. His own religious [[faith]] was shallow or non-existent, but some [[Christian]]s like his work because he wrote about [[morality]], read the [[Bible]] regularly, and cited ''[[Pilgrim's Progress]]'' as his favorite book. | + | '''Nathaniel Hawthorne''' (b. 1804 in [[Salem, Massachusetts]], d. 1864) was one of the most prominent [[American]] novelists of the 19th century. He also wrote many short stories, and most of his work dealt with depressing topics such as guilt and shame as he felt his own family was cursed due to his direct ancestor's pivotal, unrecanted role as a presiding judge in the [[Salem Witch Trials]]. Hawthorne's best-known novel, ''[[The Scarlet Letter]]'', dealt with both guilt and shame, as did his well-known short story ''The Minister's Black Veil''. His own religious [[faith]] was as a believer but relatively shallow, though some [[Christian]]s like his work because he wrote about [[morality]], read the [[Bible]] regularly, and cited ''[[Pilgrim's Progress]]'' as his favorite book. |
| | Hawthorne style is that of dark [[romanticism]], dwelling on the evil side of life. He is revered in Salem to this day, where there is a "Hawthorne Hotel" named in honor of him, which is located on Hawthorne Boulevard.<ref>https://www.historichotels.org/us/hotels-resorts/hawthorne-hotel/history.php</ref> Some consider Hawthorne's writing style to be borderline [[Gothic]], with both of his top novels displaying a concern by Hawthorne with supernatural retribution for sins by a father.<ref>https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/gothic-literature</ref> | | Hawthorne style is that of dark [[romanticism]], dwelling on the evil side of life. He is revered in Salem to this day, where there is a "Hawthorne Hotel" named in honor of him, which is located on Hawthorne Boulevard.<ref>https://www.historichotels.org/us/hotels-resorts/hawthorne-hotel/history.php</ref> Some consider Hawthorne's writing style to be borderline [[Gothic]], with both of his top novels displaying a concern by Hawthorne with supernatural retribution for sins by a father.<ref>https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/gothic-literature</ref> |