Symbolism in Writings of Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay

Nathaniel Hawthorne often employed symbols in his stories. The literary term symbol is like an allusion placed in an image, action, thing or person (images and symbols). Symbols may be hard for readers to discover. It can be seen with the eye or not visible. One source described it as a word or object that stands for another word or object (Symbol). A Handbook to Literature states that a symbol is something that is itself and also stands for something else (509). Nathaniel Hawthorne is well known for using symbols of nature in many of his stories. In My Kinsman, Major Molineux, lead character, young Robin, comes to town with the expectation of a distant relative handing him a silver spoon. In this story Hawthorne uses†¦show more content†¦This is Hawthornes way of showing Robin his last chance to make the right choice, to become a man and make his own way in life. Robin chooses to ignore these signs and continue to request or demand his Kinsmans presence. Robin puts himself on a pedestal and expects everyone around him to find Molineux. Robin is rude and shows no regard for any of the people he encounters. In the end Robin is united with his Kinsman, who is tar-and-feathered with torches blazed the brightest, there the moon shone out like day (595). Hawthorne teaches a lesson in this story; Robin will not gain honor and prestige without hard work and good intentions. In Young Goodman Brown, Hawthorne, again, emphasizes good versus evil. From the very beginning, the reader is introduced to Faith, who is a real character, but also the most obvious symbol of good. This story is about all the citizens who go to church every Sunday and portray the image of perfection, but when church is over they walk out the door and the reality of sin takes over. Brown is clearly struggling with his role in the community as a model Christian. He continuously steps over the line to the side of the Devil and temptation, only to be begged back to the angelic life with Faith. First he talks about the ...Devil himself should be at my very elbow and Faith kept me back awhile (Hawthorne 611). Brown is constantly being pulled from one side to the other. He soonShow MoreRelatedA Brief Biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne856 Words   |  3 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne once said, â€Å"I do not want to be a doctor and live by men’s diseases, nor minister to live by t heir sins, nor a lawyer and live by men’s quarrels. So, I don’t see that there is anything left for me but to be an author† (Nathaniel). This statement describes Hawthorne’s personality and life in a way that no other quote could. Nathaniel Hawthorne was an Anti-Transcendentalist writer meaning that he had a negative view of all humans. 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