This paper should show an analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story Ethan Brand, published in 1850. First of all it should give an overview of the plot and the characters of the short story as well as symbols and themes in Ethan Brand. Some of the most important
symbols should be analyzed from different point-of-views, as well as the themes which are, the essence in the short story. What is the Unpardonable Sin and what does Hawthorne want do show the reader by depicting it? Why are Puritan and Romantic elements so
important in this short story?
The paper should show its reader some aspects and various answers to these questions, always in context to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s life and the values he wanted to submit.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Nathaniel Hawthorne
3. Ethan Brand
3.1. Plot
3.2. Characters
4. Symbolism and Themes in Ethan Brand
4.1. Symbolism in “Ethan Brand”
4.1.1. The plot as a symbol
4.1.2. The name as a symbol
4.1.3. Fire, light and darkness as symbols
4.1.4. The dog and the German Jew
4.2. Themes in “Ethan Brand”
4.2.1. The Unpardonable Sin
4.2.2. Puritan Ideology in Ethan Brand
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography
Objectives and Research Focus
This paper provides a critical analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 short story "Ethan Brand," exploring its plot, character development, and complex use of symbolism. It seeks to uncover the nature of the "Unpardonable Sin" and examines how Hawthorne blends Romantic literary techniques with his complex, often critical perspective on Puritan ideology.
- Thematic analysis of the Unpardonable Sin and intellectual obsession.
- Examination of symbolic elements including fire, light, darkness, and names.
- Contextualization of the story within Hawthorne’s life and moral philosophy.
- Literary interpretation of key characters as allegorical figures.
- Evaluation of Puritan influences on the narrative structure.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1.3. Fire, light and darkness as symbols
In Ethan Brand fire is the symbol of passion and even obsession. The fire is Ethan’s companion throughout his life until his death. “Come deadly element of Fire,- henceforth my familiar friend. Embrace me, as I do thee!” (Arvin 389). Therefore, on the one side fire equals cleansing which could well attain the ultimate representation of purgatory fire (cf. Burke 96). On the other side, fire could be seen as a diabolic symbol. It is already depicted when it comes to the description of his appearance: his eyes gleamed like fire, he looks evil and diabolic and frightens little Joe, who is innocent and sensitive.
Ethan Brand, it was said, had conversed with Satan himself in the lurid blaze of this very kiln. […] According to this tale, before Ethan Brand departed on his search, he had been accustomed to evoke a fiend from the hot furnace of the lime-kiln, night after night, in order to confer with him about the Unpardonable Sin; […] And with the first gleam of light upon the mountain-top, the fiend crept in at the iron door, there to abide the intensest element of fire […] (Arvin 380).
Darkness and light determine the entire moral existence of the protagonist, also the topics of heaven and hell. Fire hypnotizes Ethan Brand during his lifetime, he tries to identify himself with it, it’s a form of fetishism for Ethan to live nearby the fire and connect everything worth in his life with it. Fire enlightens his life, both in a positive and negative way and helps him in the end to rediscover the myth of the Phoenix in his process of purification (cf. Normand 212-216).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the scope of the paper, focusing on the plot, character symbolism, and themes of Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 short story.
2. Nathaniel Hawthorne: Discusses the author's background as a descendant of Puritans and his literary mastery of moral allegories and psychological complexity.
3. Ethan Brand: Provides an overview of the story's setting and main characters, detailing the protagonist's quest and ultimate downfall.
4. Symbolism and Themes in Ethan Brand: A detailed analysis of how Hawthorne uses allegorical imagery and Puritan motifs to explore the protagonist's intellectual obsession.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes how the short story functions as a psychological puzzle, reflecting Hawthorne’s own values and internal conflicts.
6. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources used to support the literary analysis.
Keywords
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ethan Brand, Unpardonable Sin, Puritanism, Symbolism, Allegory, Romanticism, Fire Symbolism, Intellectualism, Moral Allegory, Literary Analysis, Human Obsession, Character Study, 19th Century Literature, Moral Philosophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper provides a detailed literary analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "Ethan Brand," specifically focusing on the story's complex symbols, themes, and characters.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
The core themes include the search for the "Unpardonable Sin," the conflict between intellect and morality, and the influence of Puritan ideology on human behavior.
What is the central research question?
The study investigates the nature of the Unpardonable Sin, why Hawthorne chose to depict it, and how Romantic and Puritan elements shape the story's narrative and deeper meaning.
Which methodology does the author apply?
The author uses a qualitative literary analysis approach, drawing on historical context, existing critical scholarship, and textual interpretation to examine allegories and symbols.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The body chapters cover the plot summary, character breakdown, a deep dive into symbolism (including fire and names), and an analysis of the moral themes within the story.
What keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ethan Brand, Unpardonable Sin, Puritanism, symbolism, and moral allegory.
How does the author interpret the character of Ethan Brand?
The author views Brand not as a simple madman, but as a complex intellectual figure whose obsession with forbidden knowledge and detachment from humanity leads to his ultimate destruction.
What is the significance of the "lime kiln" in the story?
The lime kiln acts as a central symbol of fire and purification, serving as both a place of diabolical pacts and the site where Brand finally confronts his own nature.
How does this work connect Ethan Brand to Goethe's Faust?
The paper draws parallels between Ethan Brand's obsession with infinite knowledge and the character of Heinrich Faust, noting how both characters suffer the consequences of their intellectual pride.
What role does the German Jew play in the narrative?
The German Jew is analyzed as an allegorical figure who acts as a catalyst for revelation, representing a potential embodiment of the devil or an all-knowing divine presence.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anna Rauch (Autor:in), 2010, Ethan Brand. Symbols and Themes in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Short Story, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/272957
