A Select Party
A man of imagination hosts a gathering in a fantastical castle made of clouds, inviting notable figures from various realms. The castle, initially somber, is transformed by sunlight into a radiant structure, symbolizing the power of creativity and the spirit's dominion over reality. The host welcomes guests, including the Oldest Inhabitant, who represents the collective memory of humanity, and a humble yet significant figure known for his potential to create a great American literature. As the party unfolds, various characters arrive, each embodying different aspects of society, including a gossipy figure, the Clerk of the Weather, and the Wandering Jew, who ultimately leaves due to his incongruity in such a refined setting. The host also invites shadowy figures from his past, representing youthful dreams and fears, which evoke a mix of nostalgia and discomfort. Among the guests are idealized representations of virtue and excellence, such as an incorruptible patriot and a beautiful woman without pride. However, these figures prove less engaging than those with flaws, highlighting the complexity of human nature. The arrival of a young man, the Master Genius, stirs excitement, as he symbolizes the hope for future greatness in literature, though he remains unrecognized by his contemporaries. As the evening progresses, the host showcases various rooms filled with moonlight and unrealized artistic works, emphasizing the beauty of potential and imagination. The guests are captivated by the splendor of the castle, which serves as a metaphor for the creative mind. The banquet that follows is lavish, featuring fantastical dishes and drinks that symbolize the joys and sorrows of life. However, the festivities are interrupted by the Clerk of the Weather, who warns of an impending storm, leading to a chaotic departure. The Oldest Inhabitant expresses his satisfaction with the evening, but the guests are soon swept away by the storm, leaving their fates uncertain. The narrative explores themes of imagination, the nature of reality, and the fleeting nature of inspiration, ultimately questioning the balance between dreams and the tangible world. The castle in the air serves as a metaphor for the creative process, illustrating the beauty and peril of pursuing one's fantasies.
By Nathaniel Hawthorne · First published 1852 · Genre: Fantasy, Allegory, Satire · 6,090 words
First lines
The man of fancy made an entertainment at one of his castles in the air, and invited a select number of distinguished personages to favor him with their presence. The mansion, though less splendid than many that have been situated in the same region, was nevertheless of a magnificence such as is seldom witnessed by those acquainted only with terrestrial architecture. Its strong foundations and massive walls were quarried out of a ledge of heavy and sombre clouds which had hung brooding over the earth, apparently as dense and ponderous as its own granite, throughout a whole autumnal day. Perceiving that the general effect was gloomy,-so that the airy castle looked like a feudal fortress, or a monastery of the Middle Ages, or a state prison of our own times, rather than the home of pleasure and repose which he intended it to be,-the owner, regardless of expense, resolved to gild the exterior from top to bottom. Fortunately, there was just then a flood of evening sunshine in the air. This being gathered up and poured abundantly upon the roof and walls, imbued them with a kind of solemn cheerfulness; while the cupolas and pinnacles were made to glitter with the purest gold, and all the hundred windows gleamed with a glad light, as if the edifice itself were rejoicing in its heart.
What this Textopian page supports
A Select Party is listed on Textopian as a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, dated 1852 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Date: 1852 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Allegory, Satire, Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 6,090 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for A Select Party by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative is set in an imaginative realm, featuring a castle in the air and characters that embody abstract concepts, which is characteristic of fantasy literature.
- Allegory — The story serves as an allegory for the nature of imagination, creativity, and the contrast between reality and idealism, with characters representing various human traits and societal roles.
- Satire — The work critiques societal norms and human behavior through exaggerated characters and situations, highlighting the absurdities of social interactions and expectations.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores deep themes regarding existence, the nature of reality, and the human condition, prompting readers to reflect on the meaning of life and creativity.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · American Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Novella · Dark Humor · Morality Tale · Critique of Society · Class Satire · Romanticism · Gothic Elements · Moral Ambiguity