Reflections of Freudian Psychoanalysis and Psychological Crisis in the Select Short Stories of Nathaniel Hawthorne

Abstract

The short stories of Nathaniel Hawthorne reflect the moral and psychological crises of American Puritan society through the themes of identity, isolation, moral conflict, and societal judgement. Hawthorne portrays the psychological and moral crises of individuals living within the rigid social structure of the ‘newfound land’ of America. This paper discusses these crises with reference to Hawthorne’s "Feathertop", "Ethan Brand", "My Kinsman, Major Molineux", and "The Artist of the Beautiful". These short stories question the oppressive nature of social norms by highlighting the contradictions between the individual self and society. The paper also explores the use of allegory and imagery, which contribute significantly to the central themes. Hawthorne’s use of allegory helps to expose the hypocrisy of many characters, thereby revealing their guilt and sin. It expresses the crisis of a newfound society in America which has social and religious liberty compared to that of Europe which has well-established social and religious institutions for centuries. The dilemma of whether to establish a Puritan society or to create a new, liberal society in America is effectively depicted in Hawthorne’s short stories. The quest for a liberal society by common people who escaped religious persecution in fifteenth and sixteenth century Europe contrasts with the vision of religious and nationalist leaders who sought to build a society strictly based on European values. This contrast encapsulates the crisis of nineteenth-century America and reflects the broader ambition of Europeans in non-European lands overseas. This paper examines whether individuals get adapted to societal expectations or become isolated and estranged due to social pressures.