The Haunted Mind

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Haunted Mind is a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne (born Nathaniel Hathorne; July 4, 1804 - May 19, 1864) was an American novelist and short story writer. He was born in 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts to Nathaniel Hathorne and the former Elizabeth Clarke Manning. His ancestors include John Hathorne, the only judge involved in the Salem witch trials who never repented of his actions. Nathaniel later added a "w" to make his name "Hawthorne" in order to hide this relation. He entered Bowdoin College in 1821, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1824, and graduated in 1825. Hawthorne published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828; he later tried to suppress it, feeling it was not equal to the standard of his later work. He published several short stories in various periodicals which he collected in 1837 as Twice-Told Tales. The next year, he became engaged to Sophia Peabody. He worked at a Custom House and joined Brook Farm, a transcendentalist community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before their return to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, and was survived by his wife and their three children. Much of Hawthorne's writing centers on New England, many works featuring moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His fiction works are considered part of the Romantic movement and, more specifically, Dark romanticism. His themes often center on the inherent evil and sin of humanity, and his works often have moral messages and deep psychological complexity. His published works include novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend Franklin Pierce. Hawthorne's works belong to romanticism or, more specifically, dark romanticism, cautionary tales that suggest that guilt, sin, and evil are the most inherent natural qualities of humanity. Many of his works are inspired by Puritan New England, combining historical romance loaded with symbolism and deep psychological themes, bordering on surrealism. His depictions of the past are a version of historical fiction used only as a vehicle to express common themes of ancestral sin, guilt and retribution. His later writings also reflect his negative view of the Transcendentalism movement.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Gothic, Classics, American Fiction

ebook

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Nathaniel Hawthorne was a 19th century American novelist and short story writer. He is seen as a key figure in the development of American literature for his tales of the nation's colonial history.

Shortly after graduating from Bowdoin College, Hathorne changed his name to Hawthorne. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. In 1837, he published Twice-Told Tales and became engaged to painter and illustrator Sophia Peabody the next year. He worked at a Custom House and joined a Transcendentalist Utopian community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before returning to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, leaving behind his wife and their three children.

Much of Hawthorne's writing centers around New England and many feature moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His work is considered part of the Romantic movement and includes novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend, the United States President Franklin Pierce.

Reviews

[Bill Kerwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in The Token and Atlantic Souvenir (1835), this short essay aptly describes the common experience of waking in darkness, in the middle of night, surrounded by fragments of dream and susceptible to melancholy thought. Hawthorne traces the progress of such musings as if they were a funeral procession of allegorical figures—Passion, Feeling, Disappointment (once called Hope), Fatality, Shame, all followed—alas!—by the dreaded Remorse—a processiona that eventually passes away, dissipated by the physical reality of the room and the arrival of more pleasant thoughts. Hawthorne ends his essay with a few apt philosophical reflections.

The themes here are classic Hawthorne, and the observations acute, but for me at least the allegorical figures, whose purpose was to illuminate the psychological truths of the essay, instead distanced me from them. This is a minor point, however, for l liked this essay very much.

In the depths of every heart, there is a tomb and a dungeon, though the lights, the music, and revelry above may cause us to forget their existence, and the buried ones, or prisoners whom they hide. But sometimes, and oftenest at midnight, those dark receptacles are flung wide open. In an hour like this, when the mind has a passive sensibility, but no active strength; when the imagination is a mirror, imparting vividness to all ideas, without the power of selecting or controlling them; then pray that your griefs may slumber, and the brotherhood of remorse not break their chain.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic tale between sleeping, dreaming and getting up. Hawthorne leads you through very different concepts here. Stay in bed forever, never grow old, staying in a mist of wake and dream. What happens when we sleep? What about our fears and hopes? What about the end of everything? A very haunting tale told by a philosophical master story teller. Highly recommended!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free download available at Project Gutenberg.

Opening lines:
What a singular moment is the first one, when you have hardly begun to recollect yourself after starting from midnight slumber! By unclosing your eyes so suddenly, you seem to have surprised the personages of your dream in full convocation round your bed, and catch one broad glance at them before they can flit into obscurity.

5* The Scarlet Letter
4* Rappaccini's Daughter
3* Wakefield ; Ethan Brand
3* The Ambitious Guest
3* The Blithedale Romance
3* The House of the Seven Gables
3* Twice-Told Tales
3* Wakefield
4* The Marble Faun, Vol 1
4* The Marble Faun, Vol 2
3* The Haunted Mind
TR The Wives of the dead
TR Fanshawe
TR Ethan Brand
TR Feathertop

[Preri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this short story came out of nowhere.

Hawthorne really surprised me with the writing in this one. It was absolutely beautiful. Actually, I think the power of the piece lies in its writing. It conveys a singular moment in such a detailed and rich manner. I loved it.

And I'm out.

[The Mines of Moriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think I liked Hawthorne's writing style until I read this. Apparently it was just his stories I didn't like.😄

[Hirdesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this short story when I was in 11th grade for a English class and I completely fell in love. The very day I read it I went out and purchased a copy of it and that copy has gone with me all these years. Tonight I read it to my daughter and for the first time and once again fell in love. Nathaniel takes an experience we are all use to and gives it a slight twist that can send a tiny chill down your spine. In complete Hawthorne style the sentences are full and rich in details. If your looking for a really quick read with a beautiful chill, this is the short story for you.

[خلُود · Rating 4 out of 5]

قصة قصيرة ممتعة ، بين الغفوة و اليقظة هناك عقل مسكون بضجيج الأحلام والواقع..
"في أعماقِ كلِّ قلبٍ قبرٌ وزنزانةٌ، قد ننسى وجودهما بما يعلو القلبَ من أضواء وصخب وموسيقى، وننسى أولئك المدفونين أو السجناء المخفيين فيهما، ولكن أحيانًا وعند منتصف الليل تحديدًا، تُفْتَحُ هذه الأوعية المظلمة على مصراعيها في مثل تلك الساعة عندما ينعم العقل بإدراك انفعالي، وهو مسلوب القوة النشطة حيث يكون الخيال مرآة تضفي حيوية على جميع الأفكار، مع سلبك القدرة على اختيارها أو التحكم فيها، ادعُ أن تنام أحزانك وألا يفك أخوة الندم قيودها. "

[Jay C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome short story exploring the borderlands between sleep and wakefulness.

[Vaishali · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting foray into the mind of a madman, though at times a deeply reflective and beautiful. Two stars because you utterly miss Hawthorne's core genius : straight-line story-telling.

[Trauermaerchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audio book and I am happy I did because I think it added to the experience.

There's not necessarily a lot happening but the writing is incredibly atmospheric and so immersive. It feels like you're actually experiencing it. That being said, if you're here for an exciting or even genuinely sinister atmosphere, you will not find that here. I'd almost say that listening to this before bed is the perfect time because it's a story that allows you to flow in that calm space before sleep.

It took me a minute to really get into it but once the actual descriptions start, it's quite an enjoyable experience.

If you want something short, calm with a sometimes dark undertone, this is the book for you.

3.5/5 rounded up

[Sameer Alshenawi · Rating 5 out of 5]

قصة قصيرة فاتنة تسجل تلك اللحظة بين النوم اليقظة وتستغلها في تأمل معاني الحياة والوجود ، وهذه القصة انا وقعت في غرامها بسبب مقدمتها ، التي تقول
"يا لها من لحظة متفردة تلك اللحظة الاولى التي بالكاد فيها تستجمع نفسك من نعاس منتصف الليل. عندما تفتح عينيك فجأة فتجد نفسك قد فاجأت شخصيات حلمك مجتمعين بالكامل حول مخدعك ، فتتلقط نظرة واسعة لهم قبل ان يتمكنوا من الانزلاق في المجهول. "

وطبعا الترجمة تفسد كل شيء ،.
ومن اجمل العبارات ايضا
"في اعماق كل قلب قبر و زنزانة ،رغما عن كل الأضواء والموسيقى والاحتفالات التي قد تفضي بِنَا الى نسيان وجودهما و نسيان الاشخاص اللذين دفنوا او المساجين الذين اختفوا بداخلهما "

[Glen Engel-Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of flash fiction recently and one of the tendencies of writers in that form is to resort to the use of the second person to try and involve the reader. Interesting to note that this is no newfangled idea, as Hawthorne did the same, addressing the reader here as one who awakes from a dream at two in the morning and then ponders on both dreams and nightmares. And, like most stories using second person, I didn’t care for it.

[Lou Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nathaniel Hawthrone has a very whimsical way of writing. I'm not sure what he was going for with this story however jt was a short but gorgeous read. The imagery was beautiful and at times morbid. During other moments (I'm sorry my inner nerd is showing here) it felt like a game master for dungeons and dragons was walking me through a new storyline. Even in the 1800s people liked to play pretend. With Hawthorne you're usually going to have a fun experience.

[Susan Plake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delectable.

[Cedric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being short story of the feeling of dreaming and consciousness.

[Vaios · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sleep, dream, wake up!

[Forked Radish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time is not a force majeure, but otherwise brilliant.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hawthorne Hawks #39
Well written prose again from Hawthorne who continually hones his craft with these short tales.
I'm still wondering how I'll go with the longer prose.

[Matthias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to The Haunted Mind through The Insonium podcast (narrated by Ethan Goodmansen).

[Cheyenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0⭐️⭐️⭐️

Very reflective of the space between the subconscious and the conscious. It’s quite foreboding and yet dreamlike in this prose. It’s something that I hadn’t quite expected to find when reading Hawthorne, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Solid story.

[T]

Despertar medio dormido y confundir el plano de tu existencia