The Man of Adamant (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales") E-Book

Nathaniel Hawthorne

• Herausgeber: Booksell-Verlag
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

In "The Man of Adamant," a compelling tale interwoven within Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales," the author employs his signature allegorical style to delve into themes of isolation, morality, and the human condition. Set against a meticulously crafted New England backdrop, this narrative follows the life of a man who becomes encased in a rigid shell of adamantine resolve, symbolizing the emotional and social barriers individuals erect as a response to life's complexities. Hawthorne'Äôs eloquent prose and rich symbolism invite readers to confront fundamental questions about the essence of humanity and the consequences of extreme choices. Nathaniel Hawthorne, a central figure in 19th-century American literature, was deeply influenced by his Puritan heritage and the moral dilemmas surrounding it. His upbringing in Salem, Massachusetts, amidst the echoes of the witch trials, profoundly shaped his understanding of guilt, sin, and societal norms. These elements are intricately woven into "The Man of Adamant," reflecting Hawthorne's ongoing preoccupation with the complexities of personal integrity and societal judgment. This thought-provoking tale is essential for readers intrigued by the interplay of individuality and societal confines. Hawthorne'Äôs exploration of the human psyche offers invaluable insights into enduring moral questions, making "The Man of Adamant" a poignant read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the consequences of human choices in the face of societal expectations.

Leseprobe

Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Man of Adamant (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")

Published by Good Press, 2019

[email protected]

EAN 4057664631329

Table of Contents

Cover

Titlepage

Text

In the old times of religious gloom and intolerance lived Richard Digby, the gloomiest and most intolerant of a stern brotherhood. His plan of salvation was so narrow, that, like a plank in a tempestuous sea, it could avail no sinner but himself, who bestrode it triumphantly, and hurled anathemas against the wretches whom he saw struggling with the billows of eternal death. In his view of the matter, it was a most abominable crime—as, indeed, it is a great folly—for men to trust to their own strength, or even to grapple to any other fragment of the wreck, save this narrow plank, which, moreover, he took special care to keep out of their reach. In other words, as his creed was like no man’s else, and being well pleased that Providence had intrusted him alone, of mortals, with the treasure of a true faith, Richard Digby determined to seclude himself to the sole and constant enjoyment of his happy fortune.

“And verily,” thought he, “I deem it a chief condition of Heaven’s mercy to myself, that I hold no communion with those abominable myriads which it hath cast off to perish. Peradventure, were I to tarry longer in the tents of Kedar, the gracious boon would be revoked, and I also be swallowed up in the deluge of wrath, or consumed in the storm of fire and brimstone, or involved in whatever new kind of ruin is ordained for the horrible perversity of this generation.”