The Ambitious Guest
A family resides in a remote cottage in the Notch of the White Hills, where they experience both the harshness of nature and the warmth of familial bonds. One evening, a young man arrives, weary from his journey, and is welcomed by the family. He shares his lofty ambitions, expressing a desire for recognition and a legacy that would outlive him. The family, while kind and hospitable, is grounded in their simple lives, contrasting the stranger's aspirations with their contentment in anonymity. As they converse, the young man's passion for achieving greatness becomes evident, revealing a deep-seated fear of being forgotten after death. He yearns for a monument to signify his existence, while the family discusses their own modest wishes and the inevitability of death. The grandmother shares her superstitions about death and burial, adding a layer of somber reflection to the evening. Suddenly, a terrifying sound interrupts their gathering—a rumble from the mountain, signaling an impending disaster. The family, gripped by fear, rushes outside in search of safety, only to be caught in a catastrophic landslide. The mountain collapses, burying them and their cottage, leaving no trace of their existence. In the aftermath, the cottage remains, smoke still rising from the chimney, suggesting a normalcy that will never return. The family's fate becomes a local legend, with whispers of the stranger who shared their last moments. His identity and story remain a mystery, underscoring the themes of ambition, mortality, and the fleeting nature of life. The tale serves as a poignant reminder of the desire for legacy and the harsh reality of oblivion.
By Nathaniel Hawthorne · First published 1835 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romanticism, Tragedy · 3,834 words
First lines
One September night a family had gathered round their hearth, and piled it high with the driftwood of mountain streams, the dry cones of the pine, and the splintered ruins of great trees that had come crashing down the precipice. Up the chimney roared the fire, and brightened the room with its broad blaze. The faces of the father and mother had a sober gladness; the children laughed; the eldest daughter was the image of Happiness at seventeen; and the aged grandmother who sat knitting in the warmest place, was the image of Happiness grown old. They had found the 'herb, heart's-ease,' in the bleakest spot of all New England. (This family were situated in the Notch of the White Hills, where the wind was sharp throughout the year, and pitilessly cold in the winter -- giving their cottage all its fresh inclemency before it descended on the valley of the Saco) They dwelt in a cold spot and a dangerous one; for a mountain towered above their heads, so steep, that the stones would often rumble down its sides and startle them at midnight.
What this Textopian page supports
The Ambitious Guest is listed on Textopian as a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, dated 1835 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: 1835 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romanticism, Tragedy, Gothic Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 3,834 words
- Structure: 1 section, 42 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Ambitious Guest by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Stranger In The Village by Mary E. Wilkins
- The Wives Of The Dead by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Three Strangers by Thomas Hardy
- The Great Stone Face by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Mystery Of Old Daddys Window by Mary Noailles Murfree
- The Unknown by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The story explores deep themes of ambition, mortality, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Romanticism — The narrative emphasizes emotion, nature, and individualism, aligning with Romantic ideals.
- Tragedy — The catastrophic ending and the exploration of fate and loss reflect tragic elements.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting in a remote, dangerous location and the ominous atmosphere contribute to Gothic themes.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Short Story · American Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Psychological Drama · Gothic Fiction · Supernatural Elements · Isolation · Loneliness · Death · Fate