An Exploration Of The Mystery Elements In N.Hawthorne's Fiction

Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the greatest novelist and short-story writers in America. There are numerous studies from various perspectives about his works ever since he established his reputation in American Literature. One of the common features shared by most of Hawthorne's works is his employment of mystery elements. The present author attempts to explore the nature of the mystery elements in his work by studying his masterpieces, The Scarlet Letter, The House of Seven Gables, and The Blithedale Romance, and other stories, "Young Goodman Brown", "Roger Malvin's Burial", and "The Hollow of the Three Hills" etc.With the development of the society in the 19^th century, life in America was changing vehemently. Americans were eager to break off from the bondage of Europe in many a field, including in literary field. They began to adopt American perspectives in their writings. The development of capitalism made a great impact on Hawthorne, a pious Calvinist. Meanwhile, under the influence of the prevailing Transcendentalism and Mysticism, Hawthorne began to create the mutual area by using mystery elements.In chapter one of the thesis, the author analyzes the reasons of Hawthorne's employment of mystery elements from three aspects. In the following three chapters the author of the thesis analyzes, using close reading, the mystery elements employed in Hawthorne's works in details. Chapter two explores the ambiguities in symbols, syntax, and characterization. Chapter three examines the mystery through biblical allusion and allusion to the myths. Chapter four is a detailed study of such supernatural elements as witchcrafts, alchemy, and ghosts appearing in Hawthorne's works. By using the theories of Freud and Croce, the author reveals the nature of the mystery elements in Hawthorne's works, and draws the conclusion that the mystery elements, on the one hand, reflect Hawthorne's ambivalence toward the society and religion, namely, his dissatisfaction with people's indifference to religion, and his criticism to the rigidity of religion. On the other hand, the mystery elements also inspire him in his life and writing.