1. And a little bit on Hawthorne

2.   Scarlet Letter 1850  Evil was very real; doctrine of original sin never far from his view of life  “I felt it almost a destiny to make Salem my home”  “I take shame upon myself for their sakes and pray that any curse incurred by them…may be now and henceforth removed”  Evil as a force that leaves it make on generation after generation, traces the effects of its corrupting presence  Sin, guilt, probes dark side of human nature Hawthorne (1804-1864)

3.   Central importance upon the emotions and upon the individual  Reason, though important, not the only or even surest guide to truth  Emphasized intuition, the inner perception of truth, which is indep. of reason  All art is the imaginative expression of the inner essence of the individual  Stress the human potential for social progress and spiritual growth Romanticism (beg. of 19 th. c)

4.   Nature  Emphasized beauty, strangeness, mysticism and mystery of nature  Organic process, constant development, change  Organic connection b/t human imagination and natural world  Truth Subjects

5.   The Past  Direct interest in national past  Interest in emerging national character Subjects

6.   The Inner World of Human Nature  Emphasis on emotions, intuition, individual  Encourages expression of writer’s private inner being  Psychological  Poe and Hawthorne Subjects