Nathaniel Hawthorne is a cornerstone of American Gothic literature, best known for short stories steeped in moral complexity, sin, guilt, and the psychological legacy of Puritan New England. His fiction often works through allegory and symbolism, exploring the tension between private conscience and public morality.
Many of Hawthorne’s most famous short stories were collected in Twice-Told Tales (1837), and several of the works listed on this page can be found there. Rather than relying on plot alone, Hawthorne’s stories often build slowly, asking readers to interpret motives, symbols, and moral consequences for themselves.
Nathaniel Hawthorne Short Stories
“The Man of Adamant”
Richard Digby is a gloomy and intolerant man, with a pessimistic view of his fellows. Believing his personal philosophy is the true faith, he sets out into the forest with some tools and his Bible. After walking three days, he comes upon a well-concealed cave. Digby is sure that he will be at peace here, away from the sins of others. (Summary of “The Man of Adamant”)
“The Golden Touch”
King Midas loves gold above all else. He spends much of his time every day in his royal storeroom, looking at and handling his piles of gold. One day, while enjoying his gold as usual, he gets an unexpected visitor. (Summary of “The Golden Touch”)
“Ethan Brand”
Ethan arrives at a lime kiln that he used to use. He tells the lime-burner, Bartram, that he left the kiln to look for the “unpardonable sin”, which he claims he has found in himself. The townspeople are told that Ethan has returned.
“The Wedding-Knell”
The narrator recounts the story of an unusual wedding between a man and woman in their sixties. Rather than being introduced by uplifting music, the wedding was introduced with a funeral knell instead.
This story, and the next two, can be read in the preview of Twice-Told Tales.
“Young Goodman Brown”
Goodman Brown has to go on a journey through the forest one night on an errand. The walk is unsettling, and he meets others from his town on the way.
“Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment”
Dr. Heidegger invites four old acquaintances over to take part in an experiment. He claims that a friend of his discovered the famed Fountain of Youth and has given him a bottle. The guests are invited to partake of the liquid. (Read “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment”)
“The Wives of the Dead”
Two women married to brothers are told, on successive days, that their husbands have been killed. As neighbors gather to mourn, the women comfort each other in their shared grief. (Read “The Wives of the Dead”)
“The Minister’s Black Veil: A Parable”
The Reverend of a small church turns up one day for the service with a black veil covering his face. His parishioners are confused and uncomfortable with the change. There is much speculation about the reason for the veil, and his congregation hopes it’s just a passing fancy.
“The Birthmark”
Aylmer, an accomplished scientist, marries the beautiful Georgiana. She has a small birthmark on her left cheek. Most men have viewed it positively while women have been critical of it. Aylmer becomes fixated with removing the mark.
“Rappaccini’s Daughter”
While studying at the university in Padua, Guasconti notices Beatrice, the daughter of Rappaccini, a renowned expert on poisonous plants. He has been using his daughter in experiments, making her immune to all poisonous plants. As a side effect, she can’t touch a person without harming them.
“Sunday at Home”
The narrator likes to look at the church opposite his home every Sabbath, from morning till night. He watches as the sunrise illuminates it, taking a particular interest in the steeple.
“The Ambitious Guest”
A family living beneath a mountain welcomes a young traveler into their home. As they talk by the hearth, the guest speaks of his desire for fame, while the family reflects on more modest hopes.
“The Great Carbuncle”
After failing to find a legendary gem, a group of travelers rest together in the mountains. The searchers include an elderly man who’s been looking his whole life, a chemist who wants to analyze and write about the Carbuncle, a merchant who wants to sell it, a poet who wants inspiration, a prince who wants it as a family symbol, and young newlyweds who want it as a light in their house. (Read “The Great Carbuncle”)
“The May-Pole of Merry Mount”
The people of Merry Mount are gathered for the wedding of a young man and woman. They’ve been celebrating heartily around the Maypole. The gathered are being watched secretly by a band of Puritans who take an extremely negative view of the party. (Read “The May-Pole of Merry Mount”)
“Roger Malvin’s Burial”
In 1725, two wounded soldiers have been struggling to safety for three days. The older one, Roger, is hurt worse; he knows he won’t make it. While resting by a rock, he tells the younger one, Rueben, to go on without him. Roger tells a story to persuade the younger man to leave. (Read “Roger Malvin’s Burial”)
“The Great Stone Face”
In a valley dominated by a rock formation resembling a human face, residents believe a prophecy that someone born there who resembles it will become a great and noble figure.
“My Kinsman, Major Molineux”
A young man, Robin, arrives by ferry in a New England city. He is looking for Major Molineux, but when he asks people if they know where he is, he gets anger or silence from the strangers. (Read “My Kinsman, Major Molineux”)
“The Celestial Railroad”
In a dream, the narrator finds himself in the city of Destruction, where he learns a railroad has been built to the Celestial City. He decides to visit out of curiosity. On his way to the station, he meets Mr. Smooth-it-away, who knows all about the Celestial City and is willing to share his knowledge. At the station there are many others prepared to make the pilgrimage.
“The Artist of the Beautiful”
Owen was apprenticed to Peter, now retired, as a watchmaker. Peter wonders what Owen has been busy at for the past six months, as he’s sure it has nothing to do with watches. He approves of practical work rather than whatever foolishness Owen is pursuing. Owen overhears the remarks and gives them some thought. (Read “The Artist of the Beautiful”)
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short stories reward careful reading. Their power lies not in clear resolutions but in ambiguity, unease, and moral uncertainty. Characters frequently confront pride, obsession, guilt, or misplaced idealism, only to discover that the line between virtue and sin is thinner than they believed.
Taken together, the stories on this page show why Hawthorne remains central to the American short-story tradition. His work continues to shape how writers explore conscience, symbolism, and the darker aspects of human nature, often leaving readers with questions that linger well beyond the final sentence.