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Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Hawthorne's isolate and the holy hearth

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

One of the major themes throughout the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne portrays an image of men and women who are physically and morally isolated from the world. So extensive was Hawthorne's interest in this problem that it emerges as a distinct concern in his philosophy. This thesis will discuss the process, as put forth by Hawthorne, by which an individual is drawn apart from humanity and then will describe the only solution the author saw for the isolated individual. Only male isolates can be brought back to the world, and only love for a pure woman can accomplish this act. Basic definitions and explanations of isolation of the heart or of the intellect will be given and supported by specific examples; the means of redemption will also be explained. Orientation to the life of Hawthorne will be provided, since the entire concept of isolation and redemption seemingly evolved from the author's personal experience and environment. Characters other than those involved.in this concept of isolation and salvation will be approached only as they serve to more clearly delineate and clarify this particular aspect of Hawthorne's philosophy.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
English
Department dc:contributor.department
English
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Year dc:date.issued
1968

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Blackwell, Dana Early
Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair
  • White, W. M.
  • Tucker, E. L.
  • Snipes, W. C.
  • Isani, M. A.

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en_US

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/10919/70512
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/70512

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Blackwell, Dana Early. Hawthorne's isolate and the holy hearth. masters thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1968. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/70512