Blithedale Drama

I enjoyed finishing the Blithedale Romance. However, I did not enjoy it as much as Hawthorne’s other works, the novel was still a nice change of pace from the philosophical readings were had been discussing.

Hawthorne criticizes the lifestyle of the Transcendentalists who reject urbanization and material goods for a simpler, more romanticized way of life. He depicts a group of utopians set out to reform humanity. However, members of the group are powerful and strong-willed in their ambitions for the community, which inevitably lead to conflict. Instead of changing the world, the group members pursue individual, and often egotistical, goals that ultimately end in tragedy. Clearly, the novel both laments and satirizes the rural idyll that dominated nineteenth-century America at large.

Hawthorne weaves complex background stories and characters to form a dramatic plot. Although I really enjoyed this aspect, I was nonetheless confused by his character Coverdale. He is the main character, as well as the narrator. Coverdale becomes good friends with Hollingsworth, Priscilla, and Zenobia. We, the reader, are led to believe that Coverdale is madly in love with Zenobia.; he praises her beauty endlessly and describes her as an angelic goddess. However, we learn at the end of the novel that Coverdale was in love with Priscilla the entire time. I was greatly confused by this “confession” he makes at the very end. Although it was a shock and a twist of sorts, I found it held no emphasis on what occurred in the novel or how it altered the course of the plot and character development. I found it to be unnecessary and arbitrary

Although his character confused me at times, I still become attached to Coverdale. He seemed to be established as one of the few sane characters throughout the novel. He was the voice of reason when everyone surrounding him was acting, to be frank, insane and utterly ridiculous. For example, when Coverdale tells Hollingsworth once that he does not know if he will ever be a philanthropist and asks if Hollingsworth can bear with him if such proves to be the case, Hollingsworth does not know if they can be lifelong friends if Coverdale does not strive with him for a great reformation. Coverdale explicitly tells Hollingsworth that his ambition of reforming criminals is unfathomable and impossible; instead of taking this as constructive criticism, Hollingsworth completely cuts off their friendship. Additionally, many of the characters deeply confide in Coverdale. He is a grounded, trustworthy person for them to share their darkest secrets with. Zenobia and Coverdale, for example, are very good confidants. It is to him that she expresses her plan to commit suicide and it is he that tries to save her.

On the topic of Zenobia’s suicide, I was also confused by this action. Zenobia is described as such a strong role model for women. She has her own thoughts and is actually intelligent, yet she falls head over heels for a misogynist. Furthermore, she kills herself over him. Thus I found an obvious disconnect between how her character was established and her actual actions. I suppose Hawthorne wanted to further satirize love, but I felt it would be more believable if Priscilla was the one to commit suicide.