This is the only book-length study James wrote about a fellow novelist, and it's not surprising he picked Hawthorne for such extended treatment. The tradition Hawthorne began in American literature - the morally intense exploration of the universality of guilt and the ambiguities of human choice - was clearly carried on by James.
Hawthorne by Henry James is a critical study of the works and life of Nathaniel Hawthorne, the renowned American novelist and short story writer, best known for works such as The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. Published in 1879, James' essay is a detailed and thoughtful analysis of Hawthorne's literary style, themes, and the psychological depth found in his works. In this study, James examines Hawthorne's complex characters, his fascination with guilt, sin, and redemption, and the way he explored the moral and emotional landscapes of 17th-century New England.
James praises Hawthorne for his unique ability to create atmospheres of mystery and ambiguity, where the boundaries between good and evil are often blurred. He also explores the influence of Puritanism on Hawthorne's writing, noting how the writer's own personal struggles with faith and identity shaped his narratives. James’ essay delves into Hawthorne's relationship with his own sense of moral responsibility, as well as his penchant for exploring the darker aspects of human nature. Hawthorne is both an homage to the author and an intellectual analysis of the themes that defined his work, making it an essential text for those interested in understanding both Hawthorne’s literary significance and the development of American literature in the 19th century.
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Categories: Non-Fiction Classics