Hawthorne's Biography

Author: Randall Stewart
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-07-01
Features: Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) was a renowned 19th-century American writer whose middle and short stories, known for their literary excellence and skillful use of symbolism, had a profound impact on American literature. His masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter, is widely celebrated. This book is a biography written by Randall Stewart, a specialist in Hawthorne studies at Brown University, describing Hawthorne's life and literary world. The book is organized chronologically into 11 chapters, including "Ancestors and Childhood," "University," "The Solitary Years," and others. Using extensive primary materials such as diaries and letters, it portrays Hawthorne's life as both an ordinary person and a serious-minded writer with a natural and straightforward style. It records Hawthorne's interactions with contemporaries and writers such as Emerson, Thoreau, and Melville, authentically recreating the arduous journey of literary pioneers in the first half of the 19th century as they pursued their literary paths. The final chapter of the book is dedicated to discussing Hawthorne's thoughts and the artistic charm of his works. With thorough research and ample citations, this biography is a highly authoritative and valuable work for studying Hawthorne and his era.