The New Adam and Eve (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")

Name: The New Adam and Eve (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne

By Nathaniel Hawthorne

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American Literature Short Stories

About This Book

Two newly created human beings awaken alone in a deserted modern city after humanity's extinction and first find comfort in mutual presence before noticing the artificial world around them. They wander streets and buildings, puzzled by signs, rigid architecture, and abandoned goods, and respond instinctively—one drawn to a sprout of grass and the other to the sky—while they experiment with clothing in an empty shop. Encounters such as a church clock that still measures hours lead them to reflect on the contrast between nature and human artifice and on imagination as a way to perceive and loosen civilization's constraining conventions.

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.