1804 - 18641804 - 1864

NathanielNathanielHawthorneHawthorne

Unhappy childhoodFather died when he was fourHis grieving mother became

reclusive for the remaining forty years of her life

After graduating from college, Hawthorne secluded himself at his mother’s home for 12 years to dedicate himself to writing and reading

Many of his stories are drawn from the darker aspects of his Puritan heritageHis great-grandfather was a judge at

the Salem witchcraft trialsLegendary Salem was in his bloodIngredients of his stories:

Black magicWitchcraft Alchemy

Writings center around three major themes:Intellectual prideSecret sinUsing science for prideful reasons

with no regard for human feelings

Writings include:The Scarlet LetterThe House of the Seven GablesTwice Told Tales

“Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment”“The Minister’s Black Veil”“The Wedding Knell”

Eventually, Hawthorne became despondent over money, his poor health, and his inability to write. Died in 1864 at the age of sixty.