Nathaniel Hawthorne in Context

This volume provides an introduction Nathaniel Hawthorne and demonstrates why he continues to be a significant figure in American literature.

Monika M. Elbert (Edited by)

9781107109339, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 November 2018

468 pages, 22 b/w illus.
23.6 x 16 x 2.8 cm, 0.77 kg

This volume provides a comprehensive overview of Nathaniel Hawthorne and demonstrates why he continues to be a critically significant figure in American literature. The first section focuses on Hawthorne's interest in and knowledge of past (Puritan and colonial) and contemporary nineteenth-century history (women's, African American, Native American) as the inspiration for his writings and the source of his literary success. The second section explores his fascination with social history and popular culture by examining topics as mesmerism, utopian life styles, theatrical performances, and artistic innovations. The third section looks at how Hawthorne succeeded and excelled in the literary marketplace, as an author of children's literature, literary sketches, and historical romances. In the fourth section, Hawthorne's literary precursors, peers, colleagues, and successors are analyzed. In the final section, Hawthorne's attachment to family, nature, and home is examined as the source of creative inspiration and philosophical questing.

Introduction: cultural contexts Monika Elbert
Part I. Hawthorne and History: 1. Puritan themes Michael Colacurcio
2. American Revolution Derek Pacheco
3. Native American presence Laura L. Mielke
4. Slavery and the Civil War Larry J. Reynolds
5. Race and ethnicity Leonardo Buonomo
6. Capitalism and social class Joel Pfister
7. Women's Rights Movement Nancy Sweet
8. Religion Martin Kevorkian
Part II. Popular Culture and Social Movements: 9. Utopianism Evert Jan van Leeuwen
10. Mesmerism and other pseudo-sciences Samuel Coale
11. Urban landscapes Ellen Weinauer
12. Gender roles David Greven
13. Melodrama and drama Margaret Jay Jessee
14. Visual arts Susan S. Williams
15. Cinematic adaptations Kristen Boudreau
Part III. Hawthorne and the Literary Marketplace: 16. Print culture Lesley Ginsberg
17. American Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge David Cody
18. Literary sketches Kristie Hamilton
19. Children's literature Laura Laffrado
20. Romance genre Leland S. Person
21. The unfinished romances Magnus Ullén
Part IV. Hawthorne and Literary Traditions: 22. Romantic predecessors Michael Cody
23. Hawthorne and Poe Richard Kopley
24. Hawthorne and Melville Les Harrison
25. Transcendentalism Jonathan Murphy
26. Sentiment and sentimentality Marianne Noble
27. Gothic fiction Alfred Bendixen
28. Science fiction Jeffrey Andrew Weinstock
29. Transnationalism and magical realism Ricardo Miguel-Alfonso
Part V. Family and Place: 30. Marriage Patricia Valenti
31. Hawthorne's biographers Frederick Newberry
32. Natural landscapes Steven Petersheim
33. Salem, Bowdoin, and Concord Melissa McFarland Pennell
34. Hawthorne in England James Hewitson
35. Hawthorne in Italy Rita Bode
Further reading
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: fiction, novelists & prose writers [DSK], Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900 [DSBF]