The Old Manse (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

"The Old Manse (From 'Mosses from an Old Manse')" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is an introductory essay published in 1846. This piece opens Hawthorne's short story collection, named after the historic house where he spent the first three years of his marriage. The work reflects Hawthorne's characteristic exploration of human nature's darker aspects through allegory. Critics noted the author's immersion in tragedy, with only brief moments of brightness breaking through predominantly shadowy themes. The essay introduces tales that Hawthorne himself later admitted he no longer fully understood.