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Hawthorne's dating problem in The Scarlet Letter. (Essays).(Nathaniel Hawthorne)(Critical Essay)

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From: ANQ
Date: 20030622
Author:Blythe, Hal; Sweet, Charlie

Nathaniel Hawthorne, like Homer, occasionally nods. In "The Minister's Black Veil," for instance, Hawthorne describes Elizabeth's inquiring as to what Hooper's veil conceals "[alt the minister's first visit" (292). On receiving an unsatisfactory answer, Elizabeth "withdrew her arm from his grasp, and slowly departed, pausing at the door" (294). Because people rarely leave their own home when dissatisfied with a visitor, readers must conclude that Hawthorne's attention momentarily faltered here.

Another "error" appears in The Scarlet Letter. In "The Custom House," Hawthorne ...

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