Twice-Told Tales

Nathaniel Hawthorne's Twice-Told Tales is a collection of short tales that uses allegory, symbolism, and paranormal aspects to examine the dark side of human nature. The Puritan New England setting of the novels often focuses on the protagonists' moral and psychological issues. In The Gray Champion, a mysterious character who appears in times of trouble to guide the populace to freedom; The Minister's Black Veil, a clergyman who dons a veil to represent his secret sin and guilt; Wakefield, which explores the repercussions of a man's decision to desert his family and go missing for years; and Dr. Heidegger's Experiment, which tells the tale of a group of elderly people who participate in an experiment. Other tales in the book include The Great Carbuncle, The White Old Maid, The Shaker Bridal, and The Threefold Destiny. Hawthorne explores the human psyche and sheds light on the complexities of human nature via his excellent use of language and narrative.