Fancy's Show-Box
An elderly gentleman, Mr. Smith, reflects on guilt and the nature of sin while enjoying a glass of wine in solitude. He is visited by three personifications: Fancy, Memory, and Conscience. Fancy, as a showman, presents a box of pictures that depict various scenes from Mr. Smith's past, each illustrating unfulfilled sinful thoughts and actions. Memory reads from a volume that records these thoughts, while Conscience silently judges him. The first picture shows a young man triumphing over a kneeling girl, reminiscent of Mr. Smith's first love, Martha. Despite his protests of innocence, Memory reveals that he harbored shameful thoughts about her. The next scene depicts a murder, with Mr. Smith's likeness standing over a dead friend, Edward Spencer. Again, he insists on his innocence, but Memory recounts a quarrel that nearly escalated to violence, causing Mr. Smith to feel the sting of Conscience's judgment. As the exhibition continues, more images emerge, each more troubling than the last, including one where Mr. Smith is depicted as robbing orphaned children. He dismisses these representations as absurd, yet Memory's readings reveal his past temptations to exploit the children legally. Each revelation deepens his anguish, as Conscience's presence becomes increasingly oppressive. Ultimately, Mr. Smith grapples with the idea that thoughts of guilt, even if not acted upon, can still haunt the soul. He realizes that the essence of guilt lies not solely in actions but in the intentions and thoughts that precede them. The narrative concludes with Mr. Smith alone, still feeling the weight of his conscience, pondering the nature of sin and the necessity of repentance for redemption. The work explores the complex relationship between thought, intention, and moral accountability, suggesting that true guilt is an internal struggle that transcends mere actions.
By Nathaniel Hawthorne · First published 1840 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Allegory · 2,645 words
First lines
What is Guilt? A stain upon the soul. And it is a point of vast interest, whether the soul may contract such stains, in all their depth and flagrancy, from deeds which may have been plotted and resolved upon, but which, physically, have never had existence. Must the fleshly hand and visible frame of man set its seal to the evil designs of the soul, in order to give them their entire validity against the sinner? Or, while none but crimes perpetrated are cognizable before an earthly tribunal, will guilty thoughts, -- of which guilty deeds are no more than shadows, -- will these draw down the full weight of a condemning sentence, in the supreme court of eternity? In the solitude of a midnight chamber, or in a desert, afar from men, or in a church, while the body is kneeling, the soul may pollute itself even with those crimes, which we are accustomed to deem altogether carnal. If this be true, it is a fearful truth.
What this Textopian page supports
Fancy's Show-Box is listed on Textopian as a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, dated 1840 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: 1840 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Allegory, Literary Fiction, Drama
- Length: 2,645 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Fancy's Show-Box by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Fancy's Show-Box?
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Similar titles
- A Moral Little Tale by Lord Dunsany
- The Apple by O. Henry
- Speaking Of Big Winds by O. Henry
- The Unprofitable Servant by O. Henry
- The Old Apple Dealer by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Higher Pragmatism by O. Henry
Genres
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores deep moral and existential questions about guilt, conscience, and the nature of sin.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the inner workings of the protagonist's mind, examining his thoughts and feelings regarding guilt and memory.
- Allegory — The characters represent abstract concepts such as Fancy, Memory, and Conscience, illustrating moral lessons through symbolic figures.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and reflective, focusing on character development and thematic depth rather than plot-driven action.
Tags
American Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Short Story Collection · Social Commentary · Moral Allegory · Satire · Humor · Irony · Symbolism · Folklore · Mythology · Psychological Insight