The Prophetic Pictures (From "Twice Told Tales")

The Prophetic Pictures (From "Twice Told Tales") by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story that looks into the worlds of paintings, what is meant to happen, and secret feelings. Set in a past time, the story follows Walter Ludlow and Elinor, two young people in love, as they meet a special painter. This painter can capture more than just what people look like; he can also show their inner selves in his art. As the painter works on their pictures, they begin to show confusing feelings and hints about what will happen to them. The story gets tense as it blurs the line between what is real and what is art, building to a worrisome situation where Walter, affected by his portrait's scary look, threatens Elinor. This leads to big questions about whether people can choose their own paths and how prophecy can be seen through art, making people think about how fate and human wants are connected.