Sunday at Home (From "Twice Told Tales")

Name: Sunday at Home (From "Twice Told Tales")
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne

A reflective first-person essay observes the Sabbath morning from a window, tracing sunrise light on a church steeple and personifying the building’s weekday solitude and Sabbath vitality. The narrator describes the sexton, minister, children, and congregation assembling as bells call the town, notes the music of hymns heard at a distance, and lingers on details of dress and procession. Meditations move between outward ritual and inward devotion, the sanctity of Sabbath light, the consecration of place versus the heart, and a twinge of regret for absent attendance alongside an appreciation of private spiritual sympathy with those gathered.

By Nathaniel Hawthorne

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American Literature Essays, Letters & Speeches Religion/Spirituality

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About the Author

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and short story writer, born in 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. He is best known for his exploration of moral complexity and the human condition, often set against the backdrop of New England's Puritan heritage. His notable works include "The Scarlet Letter," which delves into themes of sin and redemption, and "The House of the Seven Gables," a tale of guilt and retribution. Hawthorne's writing is characterized by its rich symbolism and psychological depth, making significant contributions to American literature. His stories often reflect his fascination with the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of isolation.