The Short Story

Born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1804, Hawthorne came from a heavily Puritanic backgroundm influences of which surface in his future works. Both his novels and short stories constantly dwell on the darker sides of human nature.​

 

In 1821, Hawthorne reluctantly entered Bowdoin College, where he is seen to have said:

 

"I do not want to be a doctor and live by men's diseases, nor a minister to live by their sins, nor a lawyer and live by their quarrels. So, I don't see htat there is anythinglet for me but to be an author."

 

However, it wasn't until twelve years after he graduated, that Hawthorn published his first work receiving notable attention: a set of short stories titled Twice-Told Tales in 1837.

 

From there he would continue to publish a short stories and novels, including his well-known The Scarlett Letter.