The Great Stone Face
In a valley surrounded by mountains, a mother and her son, Ernest, admire a natural formation known as the Great Stone Face, which resembles a human visage. The mother recounts an ancient prophecy that foretells the arrival of a great man whose features will match those of the Stone Face. As Ernest grows up, he becomes captivated by the idea of this prophesied figure, believing he will embody the virtues represented by the majestic face. Years later, a wealthy merchant named Gathergold returns to the valley, and the townspeople believe he is the fulfillment of the prophecy due to his resemblance to the Stone Face. However, Gathergold's character is revealed to be greedy and selfish, leading Ernest to reject the notion that he is the great man foretold. Gathergold's wealth dissipates, and he is forgotten. Next, a war hero known as Old Blood-and-Thunder returns, and again the townspeople claim he resembles the Great Stone Face. Ernest, however, sees that the general lacks the benevolence and wisdom that the Stone Face embodies. Disappointed, he continues to hope for the true fulfillment of the prophecy. As time passes, Ernest matures into a kind and wise man, known for his good deeds and gentle nature. He becomes a respected figure in the valley, yet he still longs for the arrival of the prophesied great man. A celebrated statesman, Old Stony Phiz, emerges, and the people again believe he is the one. Ernest, however, perceives a lack of the noble qualities that the Great Stone Face represents. Eventually, a poet visits Ernest, and they share a deep connection through their conversations. The poet admires Ernest's character, but Ernest expresses disappointment that the poet does not fulfill the prophecy either. During a public gathering, as Ernest speaks to the townspeople, the poet realizes that Ernest himself embodies the qualities of the Great Stone Face. The prophecy is fulfilled, but Ernest humbly continues to hope for an even greater figure to appear. The narrative explores themes of idealism, the nature of greatness, and the quest for true virtue, ultimately suggesting that the qualities represented by the Great Stone Face may be found in the humble and kind-hearted rather than in the grandiose figures society often celebrates.
By Nathaniel Hawthorne · First published 1850 · Genre: Allegory, Romanticism, Fable · 8,829 words
First lines
One afternoon, when the sun was going down, a mother and her little boy sat at the door of their cottage, talking about the Great Stone Face. They had but to lift their eyes, and there it was plainly to be seen, though miles away, with the sunshine brightening all its features.
And what was the Great Stone Face?
What this Textopian page supports
The Great Stone Face is listed on Textopian as a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, dated 1850 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: 1850 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Allegory, Romanticism, Fable, Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 8,829 words
- Structure: 1 section, 78 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Great Stone Face by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Great Stone Face?
- How does this short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Allegory first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Snakes Head And Tail by Leo Tolstoy
- A King Of Fire And His Steed by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Procession Of Life by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Yug The Prophet by Lord Dunsany
- Fancys Show Box by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Wives Of The Dead by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Genres
- Allegory — The story conveys moral and philosophical lessons through the symbolic representation of the Great Stone Face and its connection to the characters' aspirations.
- Romanticism — The narrative emphasizes nature, individualism, and the emotional experiences of the characters, characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Fable — The tale imparts a moral lesson about the nature of true greatness and the qualities that define a noble character.
- Literary Fiction — The work focuses on character development and explores complex themes of identity, aspiration, and societal values.
Tags
American Literature · Symbolism · Mystery · Coming-of-Age · Fable · Allegory · Self-Discovery · Identity · Isolation · Loneliness · Friendship · Loyalty