Hawthorne (English Men of Letters Series)

"Hawthorne" by Henry James is a study of Nathaniel Hawthorne's life and writings, concentrating on his significant impact on American literature and the forces that influenced his style. Beginning with Hawthorne’s quiet life in Salem, Massachusetts, the essay looks at how his New England roots and introspective personality helped him express complicated moral ideas, even without grand events occurring to him. James thinks Hawthorne’s works mirrored the culture around him, showing how important it is to know a place well to truly value its books. James draws attention to Hawthorne as a sensitive genius, who transformed his uneventful world into a world of profound stories that examined the depths of human nature.