“My only love sprung from my only hate” –Juliet. This quote is perfect for describing how Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne came to love Gothic Writing. According to Howard Quint, American Gothicism describes “evil, horror, love and death.” American Gothicism authors discussed the shadows of the past and how those shadows affected the present. It usually had an atmosphere of mystery and suspense. Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts. His family was very wealthy and influential during the puritan time and was still well off during his time as well. He held very dark views of the human nature and he believed evil was the dominant force in the world. However, he believed that writing was a purifying act. Edgar Allen Poe
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He felt as if his great-great grandfather past haunted him. His great-great grandfather was a judge in the Salem Witch Trials. Hawthorne felt cursed for his great-great grandfather being connected to the trials. This lead too much of his writings having to deal with shame. His guilt can be found in many of his writings. One specific writing in which his guilt is expressed is in the “Young Goodman Brown.” The feeling of guilt is expressed when Young Goodman Brown feels bad for leaving faith. He states, “What a wretch I am, to leave her on… an errand” (Hawthorne 2621). Hawthorne felt as if his great-great grandfather left him with an “errand”. That errand would be shame and the guilt from the Salem Witch Trials. Hawthorne was so ashamed that he actually changed his last name after college. On the other hand, Poe felt betrayed by John when he was sent to college. This is really where things began to go downhill with him and his foster-father. John sent Poe to college with no money and when Poe became in debt from his gambling problems, John refused to pay it (Fleming). This feeling of betrayal is expressed in “The Fall of the House of Usher.” A perfect example is when Roderick Usher states that he has put his sister “living in the tomb” (Poe
He felt as if his great-great grandfather past haunted him. His great-great grandfather was a judge in the Salem Witch Trials. Hawthorne felt cursed for his great-great grandfather being connected to the trials. This lead too much of his writings having to deal with shame. His guilt can be found in many of his writings. One specific writing in which his guilt is expressed is in the “Young Goodman Brown.” The feeling of guilt is expressed when Young Goodman Brown feels bad for leaving faith. He states, “What a wretch I am, to leave her on… an errand” (Hawthorne 2621). Hawthorne felt as if his great-great grandfather left him with an “errand”. That errand would be shame and the guilt from the Salem Witch Trials. Hawthorne was so ashamed that he actually changed his last name after college. On the other hand, Poe felt betrayed by John when he was sent to college. This is really where things began to go downhill with him and his foster-father. John sent Poe to college with no money and when Poe became in debt from his gambling problems, John refused to pay it (Fleming). This feeling of betrayal is expressed in “The Fall of the House of Usher.” A perfect example is when Roderick Usher states that he has put his sister “living in the tomb” (Poe