The White Old Maid
The narrative unfolds in a richly furnished chamber where a young man lies dead, surrounded by two young women, Edith and a proud rival. Their rivalry over the deceased culminates in a pact to meet again, years later, after enduring life's trials. Time passes, and Edith becomes known as the "Old Maid in the Winding-Sheet," a figure of sorrow who follows funerals and mourns the dead, embodying a spectral presence in the town. As the years roll on, the townspeople grow accustomed to her haunting figure, associating her with death and mourning. She becomes a fixture at funerals, her presence seen as an omen. The narrative shifts to a bustling town scene, where the Old Maid's appearance stirs curiosity and speculation among the townsfolk. They wonder about her connection to a long-abandoned mansion, which has fallen into disrepair due to inheritance disputes. One day, the Old Maid approaches the mansion, knocking on its door, prompting a crowd to gather. They speculate about her intentions and the significance of her visit. An old man informs her that the house has been empty for years, yet she persists, knocking again. A mysterious figure, resembling a former servant, opens the door, leading to further intrigue. As twilight descends, a grand coach arrives, carrying an elderly woman of noble bearing, who enters the mansion. The townspeople are left in suspense, questioning the nature of the events unfolding before them. A shriek from within the mansion heightens their anxiety, prompting the arrival of the town's clergyman, who seeks to investigate the disturbance. The clergyman, accompanied by a local man, ascends the stairs of the mansion, recalling past funerals he conducted there. They find the Old Maid seated in a chair, while the noblewoman kneels before her, clutching a lock of hair. The scene suggests a tragic culmination of their intertwined fates, yet the mystery remains unresolved as both women are found dead. The narrative concludes with the clergyman pondering the enigma of their deaths, leaving the reader with a sense of lingering mystery and the weight of unspoken secrets. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the haunting nature of memory, encapsulated in the figure of the Old Maid, who embodies the sorrow of unfulfilled lives and the inevitability of death.
By Nathaniel Hawthorne · First published 1835 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Dark Romance, Psychological Fiction · 4,725 words
First lines
The moonbeams came through two deep and narrow windows, and showed a spacious chamber, richly furnished in an antique fashion. From one lattice, the shadow of the diamond panes was thrown upon the floor; the ghostly light, through the other, slept upon a bed, falling between the heavy silken curtains, and illuminating the face of a young man. But, how quietly the slumberer lay! how pale his features! and how like a shroud the sheet was wound about his frame! Yes; it was a corpse, in its burial-clothes.
What this Textopian page supports
The White Old Maid 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, Dark Romance, Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Length: 4,725 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The White Old Maid by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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Discussion starters
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- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The story features elements of the supernatural, death, and a haunting atmosphere, typical of Gothic literature.
- Dark Romance — The narrative explores themes of love intertwined with death and loss, focusing on the emotional turmoil of the characters.
- Psychological Fiction — The characters' mental states, particularly the Old Maid's descent into solitude and madness, are central to the plot.
- Literary Fiction — The work emphasizes character development and thematic depth over plot-driven storytelling, characteristic of literary fiction.
Tags
Social Commentary · Satire · Feminism · Patriarchy · Marriage · Society · Class · Status · Isolation · Loneliness · Moral Ambiguity · Critique of Tradition