The Devil in Manuscript
A narrator arrives in a cold town to visit a friend, a young aspiring author named Oberon, who is troubled by his own writings. They sit in a lawyer's office, surrounded by legal documents and a bottle of champagne, as Oberon expresses his horror at the dark themes he has explored in his manuscripts. He believes that these tales have drained his happiness and led him into a state of solitude, disconnected from the world. Oberon contemplates burning his manuscripts, feeling that they have become a source of torment rather than joy. Despite the narrator's initial shock at the idea of destruction, he recognizes Oberon's deep dissatisfaction with his work. The author describes the emotional turmoil he experiences while writing, oscillating between moments of inspiration and despair. He feels that the manuscripts represent a part of himself that he wishes to eradicate. As Oberon prepares to burn the tales, he becomes increasingly agitated, envisioning the manuscripts as a burden that would lead to public ridicule and scorn. He ultimately throws them into the fire, watching as they are consumed. In the flames, he perceives visions of his characters and the emotions they embody, experiencing a mix of regret and exhilaration. After the manuscripts are reduced to ashes, a commotion outside reveals that a fire has broken out in the town. Oberon, initially alarmed, soon realizes that the chaos is an opportunity for him to revel in the excitement of creation. He exclaims that his imagination has sparked a real fire, celebrating the destruction of his work as a form of triumph. The narrative concludes with Oberon embracing the chaos, feeling a sense of victory in the midst of the turmoil, as he revels in the connection between his creative spirit and the wildness of the world around him.
By Nathaniel Hawthorne · First published 1835 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 3,399 words
First lines
On a bitter evening of December, I arrived by mail in a large town, which was then the residence of an intimate friend, one of those gifted youths who cultivate poetry and the belles-lettres, and call themselves students at law. My first business, after supper, was to visit him at the office of his distinguished instructor. As I have said, it was a bitter night, clear starlight, but cold as Nova Zembla,-the shop-windows along the street being frosted, so as almost to hide the lights, while the wheels of coaches thundered equally loud over frozen earth and pavements of stone. There was no snow, either on the ground or the roofs of the houses. The wind blew so violently, that I had but to spread my cloak like a main-sail, and scud along the street at the rate of ten knots, greatly envied by other navigators, who were beating slowly up, with the gale right in their teeth. One of these I capsized, but was gone on the wings of the wind before he could even vociferate an oath.
What this Textopian page supports
The Devil in Manuscript 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: Gothic Fiction, Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Fantasy, Satire
- Length: 3,399 words
- Structure: 1 section, 42 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Devil in Manuscript by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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Discussion starters
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- How does this short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The themes of darkness, the supernatural, and the psychological torment of the author align closely with Gothic elements.
- Literary Fiction — The focus on the author's internal struggles and the critique of the publishing industry reflects the characteristics of literary fiction.
- Psychological Fiction — The exploration of the author's mental state and his relationship with his creations emphasizes psychological themes.
- Fantasy — The presence of a 'devil' and the imaginative elements in the author's tales suggest a fantasy genre influence.
Tags
Dark Fantasy · Gothic Fiction · Mystery · Supernatural · Horror · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Classic Novel · Psychological Thriller · Paranormal Activity · Occultism