The Vision of the Fountain (From "Twice Told Tales") By: Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)
In "The Vision of the Fountain," Nathaniel Hawthorne creates a compelling and thought-provoking story that explores themes of beauty, art, and perception. Set in a small town, the narrative follows a young sculptor named Willie Westervelt, who becomes obsessed with a vision of a magnificent fountain. Hawthorne's writing style is elegant and evocative, transporting readers into the heart of the story. Through his vivid descriptions, the author expertly captures the allure and allurements of the fountain, making it almost tangible to the reader. One of the central themes in this tale centers around the transformative power of art. Willie's passion for sculpting drives him to create a masterpiece that can capture the essence of the fountain. Hawthorne explores how art can change both the artist and the audience, allowing them to experience beauty in a profound and transcendent way. Furthermore, the novella delves into the nature of perception and the deceptive nature of appearances. Hawthorne raises questions about the validity of our senses, highlighting how easily we can be misled by external beauty. Through Willie's journey, readers are encouraged to consider how our own perceptions shape our understanding of the world around us. Although "The Vision of the Fountain" is a relatively short narrative, the depth of its themes and the growth of its characters make it a compelling read. Hawthorne expertly weaves together elements of romance, mystery, and philosophy, creating a story that stays with the reader long after they finish the last page. Ultimately, "The Vision of the Fountain" showcases Hawthorne's ability to craft a tale that is both engaging and thought-provoking. It serves as a testament to the power of art and the importance of looking beyond appearances to find true beauty. Fans of Hawthorne's introspective and nuanced storytelling will undoubtedly find this novella to be a captivating addition to their collection. First Page: TWICE TOLD TALES THE VISION OF THE FOUNTAIN By Nathaniel Hawthorne At fifteen, I became a resident in a country village, more than a hundred miles from home. The morning after my arrival a September morning, but warm and bright as any in July I rambled into a wood of oaks, with a few walnut trees intermixed, forming the closest shade above my head. The ground was rocky, uneven, overgrown with bushes and clumps of young saplings, and traversed only by cattle paths. The track, which I chanced to follow, led me to a crystal spring, with a border of grass, as freshly green as on May morning, and overshadowed by the limb of a great oak. One solitary sunbeam found its way down, and played like a goldfish in the water. From my childhood, I have loved to gaze into a spring. The water filled a circular basin, small but deep, and set round with stones, some of which were covered with slimy moss, the others naked, and of variegated hue, reddish, white, and brown. The bottom was covered with coarse sand, which sparkled in the lonely sunbeam, and seemed to illuminate the spring with an unborrowed light. In one spot, the gush of the water violently agitated the sand, but without obscuring the fountain, or breaking the glassiness of its surface... Continue reading book >>

The Vision of the Fountain (From "Twice Told Tales") By: Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

In "The Vision of the Fountain," Nathaniel Hawthorne creates a compelling and thought-provoking story that explores themes of beauty, art, and perception. Set in a small town, the narrative follows a young sculptor named Willie Westervelt, who becomes obsessed with a vision of a magnificent fountain.

Hawthorne's writing style is elegant and evocative, transporting readers into the heart of the story. Through his vivid descriptions, the author expertly captures the allure and allurements of the fountain, making it almost tangible to the reader.

One of the central themes in this tale centers around the transformative power of art. Willie's passion for sculpting drives him to create a masterpiece that can capture the essence of the fountain. Hawthorne explores how art can change both the artist and the audience, allowing them to experience beauty in a profound and transcendent way.

Furthermore, the novella delves into the nature of perception and the deceptive nature of appearances. Hawthorne raises questions about the validity of our senses, highlighting how easily we can be misled by external beauty. Through Willie's journey, readers are encouraged to consider how our own perceptions shape our understanding of the world around us.

Although "The Vision of the Fountain" is a relatively short narrative, the depth of its themes and the growth of its characters make it a compelling read. Hawthorne expertly weaves together elements of romance, mystery, and philosophy, creating a story that stays with the reader long after they finish the last page.

Ultimately, "The Vision of the Fountain" showcases Hawthorne's ability to craft a tale that is both engaging and thought-provoking. It serves as a testament to the power of art and the importance of looking beyond appearances to find true beauty. Fans of Hawthorne's introspective and nuanced storytelling will undoubtedly find this novella to be a captivating addition to their collection.

First Page:

TWICE TOLD TALES

THE VISION OF THE FOUNTAIN

By Nathaniel Hawthorne

At fifteen, I became a resident in a country village, more than a hundred miles from home. The morning after my arrival a September morning, but warm and bright as any in July I rambled into a wood of oaks, with a few walnut trees intermixed, forming the closest shade above my head. The ground was rocky, uneven, overgrown with bushes and clumps of young saplings, and traversed only by cattle paths. The track, which I chanced to follow, led me to a crystal spring, with a border of grass, as freshly green as on May morning, and overshadowed by the limb of a great oak. One solitary sunbeam found its way down, and played like a goldfish in the water.

From my childhood, I have loved to gaze into a spring. The water filled a circular basin, small but deep, and set round with stones, some of which were covered with slimy moss, the others naked, and of variegated hue, reddish, white, and brown. The bottom was covered with coarse sand, which sparkled in the lonely sunbeam, and seemed to illuminate the spring with an unborrowed light. In one spot, the gush of the water violently agitated the sand, but without obscuring the fountain, or breaking the glassiness of its surface... Continue reading book >>

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Wikipedia – Nathaniel Hawthorne
Wikipedia – The Vision of the Fountain (From "Twice Told Tales")

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