The Village Uncle (From "Twice Told Tales")   By: Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story collection "Twice Told Tales" proves once again why he is considered to be a master of dark and mysterious tales. Amongst the many stories that fill this collection, "The Village Uncle" stands out as a haunting and thought-provoking piece.

From the start, Hawthorne’s excellent storytelling skills shine through. He expertly creates a vivid and atmospheric setting—a quaint, isolated New England village—through his detailed descriptions. The reader is transported back in time, able to envision the sleepy streets, the rustic houses, and the eerie silence that surrounds the characters.

"The Village Uncle" explores the theme of isolation and loneliness, delving into the complex psyche of the protagonist, Uncle Peter. As the title suggests, Uncle Peter is the eccentric and peculiar village resident, who is shunned and feared by the other villagers. Through the eyes of the narrator, we witness the ways in which Uncle Peter’s loneliness affects his mind and consumes his existence.

Hawthorne masterfully builds suspense throughout the story, as we gradually uncover the dark secrets that Uncle Peter hides within his home. The author skillfully manipulates the reader’s emotions, creating a sense of unease and a heightened anticipation of what may come next. This sense of foreboding is enhanced by Hawthorne’s exquisite use of language; his prose is both poetic and haunting, pulling the reader into the story with every word.

Moreover, the characters in "The Village Uncle" are multi-dimensional and deeply human. We are compelled to empathize with Uncle Peter, despite his eccentricities, as his loneliness becomes increasingly palpable. His longing for companionship and acceptance is universal, evoking a sense of compassion within the reader.

However, it is the shocking twist at the end of the story that truly seals its brilliance. Just as we begin to sympathize with Uncle Peter and hope for a glimmer of happiness in his life, Hawthorne presents us with a twist that challenges our understanding of the characters and the events that unfold. This unexpected revelation lingers long after turning the final page, leaving the reader contemplating the depths of loneliness and the consequences it can have.

"The Village Uncle" is a captivating and deeply affecting tale that showcases Nathaniel Hawthorne at his best. Through its mesmerizing prose, atmospheric setting, and well-developed characters, Hawthorne forces us to examine the darker aspects of the human experience. This story is a testament to his exceptional storytelling abilities and is sure to resonate with readers long after they have finished reading.

First Page:

Come! another log upon the hearth. True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness. Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan. Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant. And now, come, Susan, come, my children, draw your chairs round me, all of you. There is a dimness over your figures! You sit quivering indistinctly with each motion of the blaze, which eddies about you like a flood, so that you all have the look of visions, or people that dwell only in the fire light, and will vanish from existence, as completely as your own shadows, when the flame shall sink among the embers. Hark! let me listen for the swell of the surf; it should be audible a mile inland, on a night like this. Yes; there I catch the sound, but only an uncertain murmur, as if a good way down over the beach; though, by the almanac, it is high tide at eight o'clock, and the billows must now be dashing within thirty yards of our door... Continue reading book >>