Hawthorne: An Inescapable Burden :: essays research papers fc

An Inescapable BurdenA young boys parents did not get the opportunity to attend college and they part when he was only seven. His father was addicted to crack cocaine and his mother began to sell herself as a source of income. He was tossed back and forth amongst the two houses and used as a way for the two parents to get back at each other. As a result, this boy grew up to be a criminal and was thrown in jail for selling drugs for his father. This life of crime and debauchery was all that he knew. He constantly paid for the mistakes of his parents and his parents parents. This is a common event that has taken place in human society throughout time. Nathaniel Hawthorne recognized the fact that people have the burden of constantly transaction with the shortcomings and lack of opportunity that come with many mistakes that parents make. This theme and realization of Hawthornes is a prevalent theme in many of his stories. This theme and idea that iodine must pay for the mistakes of h is or her forefathers is displayed not only in Hawthornes own history but in his stories Dr. Rappacinis Daughter, The Birthmark, and boylike Goodman Brown as well.Hawthorne had a family history which he was personally ashamed of. He was born in Salem Massachusetts in 1804 with the emotional burden of having a great-great grandad that was the judge that presided over the Salem witch trials (Gollin 1). This man wrongfully convicted many women that were put to death as a result of his conviction. The blood of these women was on his hand and it was probably the thought in Hawthornes mind that his ancestor did the devils work . This family history is most prominently displayed in his story Young Goodman Brown as Goodman faces similar internal conflict during his journey (Gray 90). Hawthorne thought that his sea captain father paid for these mistakes as he was killed on a voyage when Hawthorne was four years old (Nathaniel Hawthorne 259). Hawthorne could have conceived this idea direct ly from Gods own word. The Bible claims that God will inflict penalization for their fathers wickedness on the children of those who hate him down to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 20.5). Hawthornes own personal family history imbedded this theme in his own theologies.This theme is displayed in Hawthornes short story Dr.