Mosses From An Old Manse And Other Stories Annotated And Illustrated Edition PDF Download

Nathaniel Hawthorne was a celebrated nineteenth century American literary figure who penned numerous critically acclaimed novels and short stories. Hawthorne's writings were mostly Puritanical moral allegories set in New England. Element of Dark Romanticism, theme of inherent evil, moral dilemma and psychological complexity of human mind are explored in his works consistently. His notable works include Twice-Told Tales, The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. Born on July 4, 1804, in Salem, Massachusetts, Hawthorne was a descendant of a long line of Puritan ancestors. He was related to an unrepentant presiding magistrate involved in Salem witch trials, John Hathorne. So as not to identify himself with the scandalous Hathorne family, Hawthorne added a 'w' in his name in his youth. His father was a ship captain who died of yellow fever at sea when he was four years old. The sudden demise of his father made his mother very protective of him which engendered an isolated atmosphere for him. This period in his childhood rendered him shy and an avid reader which shaped his personality in such a way that led him to choose a career in writing.