Hawthorne's works, though considered classics, have drawn criticism for various reasons:
1. Moral Ambiguity and Lack of Resolution:
* Dark, complex characters: Hawthorne's characters are often flawed, driven by complex motivations, and lack clear-cut morality. Critics argue this can make them difficult to relate to and leaves readers questioning their actions.
* Ambiguous endings: Many of his stories and novels have open-ended or ambiguous conclusions, leaving readers with unanswered questions and potentially frustrating their expectations for a clear moral message.
2. Allegorical Nature and Obscure Language:
* Excessive symbolism: Critics argue that Hawthorne's use of symbolism and allegory can be overly dense and obscure, sometimes overshadowing the narrative and making it difficult to decipher the author's intended meaning.
* Dense and archaic language: Hawthorne's use of complex sentence structures, archaic vocabulary, and Puritanical jargon can be challenging for modern readers, making the texts feel distant and inaccessible.
3. Historical Accuracy and Representation:
* Historical biases: Some critics argue that Hawthorne's portrayal of historical events and figures, particularly in his historical romances, can be inaccurate or reflect the biases of his own time.
* Limited representation: Hawthorne's works primarily focus on the lives and experiences of white, upper-class characters, leading to criticisms of his limited representation of diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
4. Philosophical Themes and Focus on Sin and Guilt:
* Pessimistic outlook: Hawthorne's works often explore themes of sin, guilt, and the dark side of human nature. Some critics find his outlook overly pessimistic and lacking in hope or redemption.
* Repetitive themes: Some critics argue that Hawthorne's obsession with sin and guilt becomes repetitive and predictable, detracting from the overall impact of his works.
5. Style and Narrative Pace:
* Slow pace and introspection: Hawthorne's writing can be slow-paced and introspective, focusing on internal thoughts and emotions rather than action-driven plotlines. This can be off-putting for readers who prefer a faster pace.
* Overly descriptive language: Some critics argue that Hawthorne's descriptive language can be excessive and overly ornate, hindering the flow of the narrative and bogging down the reader.
Overall:
Despite these criticisms, Nathaniel Hawthorne remains a significant figure in American literature. His works continue to be studied and debated, revealing the complexity of human nature and the enduring power of his writing. It is important to recognize that these criticisms are often subjective and that different readers may have different interpretations and reactions to his work.