Old Ticonderoga, a Picture of the Past (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")

"Old Ticonderoga, a Picture of the Past" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a journey into American history, viewing a forgotten military landmark and how that symbolizes the changing face of time. As the reader moves through the ruins of Fort Ticonderoga, remembering days of battles and sieges fought between the French, English, and Indigenous peoples, the author, mixed with his own observations, imagines the fort's stories. He takes us from the past, filled with battle and tension, to a quiet present. A young officer talks about military importance, but it is the powerful memory of history that wins out, allowing the reader to truly appreciate the weight and significance of the ruins in a world that is much changed.