Other editions of book Hawthorne's Short Stories

Twenty-four of the best short stories by one of the early masters of the form, in the definitive collection edited by acclaimed scholar Newton Arvin.Nathaniel Hawthorne was one of the greatest American writers of the nineteenth century, and some of his most powerful work was in the form of fable-like tales that make rich use of allegory and symbolism. The dark beauty and moral force of his imagination are evident in such enduring masterpieces as "Young Goodman Brown," in which a young man who believes he has witnessed a satanic initiation can never see his pious neighbors the same way again; “Rappaccini's Daughter," about a lovely young girl who has been raised in isolation among dangerous poisons; and "The Birthmark," in which a scientist obsessed with perfection destroys the flaw that makes his otherwise flawless wife both beautiful and human.

Here are the best of Hawthorne's short stories. There are twenty-four of them -- not only the most familiar, but also many that are virtually unknown to the average reader. The selection was made by Professor Newton Arvin of Smith College, a recognized authority on Hawthorne and a distinguished literary critic as well. His fine introduction admirably interprets Hawthorne's mind and art.

Here are the best of Hawthorne's short stories. There are twenty-four of them -- not only the most familiar, but also many that are virtually unknown to the average reader. The selection was made by Professor Newton Arvin of Smith College, a recognized authority on Hawthorne and a distinguished literary critic as well. His fine introduction admirably interprets Hawthorne's mind and art.

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 – 1864) An American novelist, Dark Romantic, and short story writer. Contents of the book - 50 short stories: Mosses from an Old Manse and Other Stories: The Birthmark Young Goodman Brown Rappaccini's Daughter Mrs. Bullfrog The Celestial Railroad The Procession of Life Feathertop: A Moralized Legend Egotism; or, The Bosom Serpent Drowne's Wooden Image Roger Malvin's Burial The Artist of the Beautiful Twice Told Tales: The Gray Champion Sunday At Home The Wedding-Knell The Minister's Black Veil The Maypole Of Merry Mount The Gentle Boy Mr. Higginbotham's Catastrophe Little Annie's Ramble Wakefield A Rill From The Town Pump The Great Carbuncle The Prophetic Pictures David Swan Sights From A Steeple The Hollow Of The Three Hills The Toll-Gatherer's Day The Vision Of The Fountain Fancy's Show-Box Dr. Heidegger's Experiment Legends Of The Province House The Haunted Mind The Village Uncle The Ambitious Guest The Sister-Years Snowflakes The Seven Vagabonds The White Old Maid Peter Goldthwaite's Treasure Chippings With A Chisel The Shaker Bridal Night-Sketches Endicott And The Red Cross The Lily's Quest Footprints On The Seashore Edward Fane's Rosebud The Threefold Destiny Other Tales and Sketches: My Visit To Niagara The Antique Ring Graves And Goblins

By Eric Wilson on June 9, 2001 In your face, obvious, and heavy-handedly allegorical, still Hawthorne manages to pique my interest and hammer home his point. Switching from historically based stories ("The Gray Champion" and "Endicott and the Red Cross") to spiritual allegories ("The Bosom Serpent" and "The Celestial Railroad"), Hawthorne continually chips away at the danger of isolation. Although he clearly believed in the fallibility and evil of the human heart--particularly pointing out the religious hypocrites--he also believed that one must continue to risk and be a part of the community. In stories such as "Young Goodman Brown" and "Wakefield", we see the gloom that comes over certain men who pull away. Hawthorne, like Poe, uses graphic and surreal imagery, sometimes repetitively, to set a mood and draw a picture. His characters and scenes are alive and psychological consistent with his tales, and he manages to wring a moral out of nearly every page. Heavy-handed? Yes, but he aims to state a message, and he states it clearly: The moral nature must never be sacrificed for intellectual pursuits (Ethan Brand). In a world of cheap commercialism and mindless brain fodder, at least Hawthorne has something to say. ( amazon customer review)