The Seven Vagabonds (From "Twice Told Tales") (ePub)

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) stands as a central figure in the American literary canon, renowned for his exploration of the country's moral and historical consciousness. Born in Salem, Massachusetts, Hawthorne's early life and ancestry-marked by the infamy of the Salem witch trials-weighed heavily on his psyche and perennially influenced his writing. He attended Bowdoin College, where he nurtured his literary aspirations alongside contemporaries such as Longfellow and Pierce. Hawthorne initially struggled to achieve literary success, but this changed with the publication of 'Twice-Told Tales,' a collection of stories which includes 'The Seven Vagabonds.' His masterpiece, 'The Scarlet Letter' (1850), cemented his reputation, delving into the themes of sin, guilt, and redemption within a Puritanical society. Hawthorne's style is characterized by a somber and dense allegorical narrative, often reflecting the complexities of the human condition and the dark undercurrents of American life. Other notable works include 'The House of the Seven Gables' and 'The Blithedale Romance,' which further exhibit his mastery of symbolism and psychological depth. Hawthorne's profound impact on American literature endures, not least for his incisive critique of moral absolutism and his poignant portrayal of the American experience.