The Development of Social Commentary in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Works: 1828-1844

ion is an integral part of that familiar figure in Hawthorne's fiction, the man whose cerebral coldness leaves him removed from the "magnetic chain of humanity." This intellectualized isolalo makes his first sketchy appearances in Hawthorne's stories in the mid-thirties, 15 but by the 1840's he occupies a prominent position in some seven stories. 16 What has not been sufficiently emphasized about him is that, with the exception of Ethan Brand who is of humble beginnings, Hawthorne regularly associates him with wealth and power. As early as Lady Eleanore ("Lady Eleanore's Mantle," 1838), for example, Hawthorne stresses that what has led her "to place herself above the sympathies of our common nature" (IX, 276) is her "haughty consciousness of her hereditary and personal advantages" (IX, 274). The distrust of isolation, with the judgment that this is a danger the rich are heir to, and the advocacy of warm contact with fellow man not only express personal truths for the author, but should also be seen as general expressions of Hawthorne's Democratic sympathies. In addition, in parts of some of the later stories, Hawthorne seems to be specifically declaring himself with the party of equality and of the common man. In "The Procession of Life," for instance, he facetiously advances a new "classification of society" (X, 208) with the serious, democratic goal of making the "conventional distinctions of society melt away" (X, 210), so that "rank and wealth, and poverty and lowli14. Schlesinger, p. 335. For more on the Jacksonian concern for depersonalization, see Schlesinger, Chap. XXVI, section 1. 15. In "The Great Carbuncle," "The Man of Adamant," and "Sylph Etherege." 16. The seven are "The Virtuoso's Collection," "The Birthmark," "Egotism; or the Bosom Serpent," "The Christmas Banquet," "Rappaccini's Daughter," "Ethan Brand," and "The Book of Autographs." (In this last series of sketches, Hawthorne wonders if George Washington were the cold type.) 10 Colby Quarterly, Vol. 20, Iss. 1 [1984], Art. 3 http://digitalcommons.colby.edu/cq/vol20/iss1/3 16 COLBY LIBRARY QUARTERLY ness" (X, 208), "peer and ploughman" (X, 211), the inhabitants of "palace and almshouse" (X, 213), the "noble and peasant, the beggar and the monarch" (X, 213) may perceive their common humanity. In "The New Adam and Eve" the discoveries of the young couple who are "commissioned to pass unconscious judgment upon ... the vanished race" (X, 262) are similar in many ways to the criticism of the Whigs by Hawthorne's Democrats: urban civilization is found to be in a "perverted state" (X, 253) characterized by vanity, injustice, and ugliness. 17 How can one explain to innocence, Hawthorne asks, "the magnificence of one habitation as compared with the squalid misery of another? Through what medium can the idea of servitude enter their minds?" (X, 262). In the new Adam and Eve, we may conclude, we see not only the new man and woman but also the new Democrats, who might, if they could preserve their natural wisdom, create a more equitable society. Perhaps it is in "The Hall of Fantasy," in the lengthy discussion of reformers, where Hawthorne most strives to bring his fiction in line with the reform-oriented Jackson Democrats. Instead of showing the singleminded reformers as a tribe of dangerous fools, as was his custom, Hawthorne here evaluates them quite charitably. The narrator, a skeptic much like Hawthorne, is reminded by his guide of his own idealism, a key ingredient in reform politics: "You are at least a democrat; and methinks no scanty share of . . . faith [in idealism] is essential to the adoption of that creed" (X, 179). In evaluating reformers and inventors, says the guide, one must bear in mind that the "fantasies of one day are the deepest realities of a future one" (X, 179). There are limits, however, to Hawthorne's credence-"My faith revived, even while I rejected all their schemes" (X, 181)-but the author is careful to tread lightly so as not to offend fellow Democrats: "Therefore may none, who believe and rejoice in the progress of mankind [Le. Democrats], be angry with me because I recognized their apostles and leaders amid the fantastic radiance of those pictured windows. I love and honor such men, as well as they" (X, 180). In addition to social commentary that is specifically Democratic, Hawthorne also offers the general opinion that his modern world is more corrupt and less happy than previous ages. For example, in "The Intelligence Office" Hawthorne has the Intelligencer declare to a devil: "Nowadays, men act the evil spirit for themselves and their neighbors', and play the part more effectually than ninety-nine out of a hundred of your fraternity" (X, 330). In politics especially does Hawthorne see an increase in "cunning tactics" (X, 330), an opinion also held by his fellow citizens for whom "suspicion of corruption was on the increase" (Van Deusen, p. 168).18 17. I will describe later Hawthorne's Jacksonian preference for country over city life. 18. The scandalous Presidential electioneering of 1840 seemed to inaugurate a disgraceful period in political life; congressional graft was common, as was brawling on the floor of the House of Repre11 Predmore: The Development of Social Commentary in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Wor Published by Digital Commons @ Colby, 1984