IMMORTALIZED MOMENTS IN NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE'S "THE GREAT STONE FACE"
The Eternal Moments: A Journey through Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Great Stone Face"
Introduction:
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| Nathaniel Hawthorne |
The Meticulous Crafting of Suspense: From Introduction to Climax and Fulfillment
Hawthorne as a skillful story-teller handles his suspense, making each successive incident more arresting and vital, and gradually drawing the reader’s interest up to the climax. Gradually in the the introduction (Paragraphs 1-13)The legend of "The Great Stone Face" is briefly introduced. The Development of the Story happens to meet in the Paragraphs 14-74 where we find Gathergold, the money king, Old Blood and Thunder, the soldier, Military fame, Old Stony Phiz, the statesman, Eloquence, The poet who failed to live up to his ideals. The Climax reaches in Paragraphs 75-78 where Ernest, the preacher and seer is presented.The Conclusion meets at Paragraph 79 where Fulfillment of the Prophecy happens.
Unmasking False Ideals: The Four Stages of Deception and Ernest's Unwavering Pursuit of Character
Ernest's Reverence and Admiration:
One of the most powerful moments in "The Great Stone Face" is Ernest's unwavering reverence for the Great Stone Face itself. From his childhood, Ernest is captivated by the serenity and wisdom exuded by the rock formation. His admiration for the stone face symbolizes his quest for moral integrity and a noble purpose. This immortalized moment highlights the importance of aspiring to lofty ideals and the impact they can have on an individual's character.
The Prophecy and Ernest's Destiny:
Hawthorne presents a pivotal moment when a prophecy emerges, foretelling the coming of a man who would resemble the Great Stone Face and become a leader of his people. Ernest becomes the living embodiment of this prophecy, and his virtuous nature draws others towards him. This immortalized moment serves as a reminder that one's actions and character can shape their destiny and inspire others to embrace their own potential for greatness.
The Contrast with Gathergold:
Hawthorne contrasts Ernest's humility and authenticity with the character of Mr. Gathergold, a wealthy businessman driven by material gain and worldly success. This immortalized moment underscores the dangers of valuing material wealth over inner virtue. Ernest's steadfast commitment to his principles, in contrast to Gathergold's empty pursuits, emphasizes the enduring value of moral integrity.
Ernest's Influence on Others:
As Ernest's reputation grows, many people come to seek his wisdom and guidance. This immortalized moment reflects the transformative power of one individual's exemplary character on the lives of others. Through Ernest's unwavering dedication to goodness, Hawthorne portrays the potential for individuals to inspire positive change in society.
The Revelation and Fulfillment:
In the story's climax, as Ernest gazes upon the Great Stone Face one last time, he realizes that his own countenance has grown to resemble it. This immortalized moment marks the fulfillment of the prophecy and signifies Ernest's complete alignment with the stone face's wisdom and benevolence. It highlights the connection between inner virtue and external appearance, emphasizing the importance of cultivating noble qualities to reflect in one's demeanor.
The Great Stone Face's Human Reflections: Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Luminous Presence of Ernest
Ralph Waldo Emerson is the human counterpart of the Great Stone Face as embodied in Ernest. Says Hawthorne in The Old Manse: It was good to meet him in the wood-paths, or sometimes in our avenue, with that pure intellectual gleam diffused about his presence like the garment of a shining one; and he is so quiet, so simple, so without pretension, encountering each man alike as if expecting to receive more than he could impart. But it was impossible to dwell in his vicinity without inhaling, more or less, the mountain atmosphere of his lofty thought, which in the brains of some people, wrought a singular giddiness new truth being a sheady as new wine.It is not hard to identify Andrew Jackson as close kin to Old Blood and Thunder, and Daniel Webster as Old Stony Phiz, the"marvelously gifted statesman"with"always a weary gleam in the deep caverns of his eyes."Exploring the Psychological Depths: Hawthorne's Departure from Puritan Tradition
With modern psychological insight Hawthorne probed the secret motivations in human behavior and the guilt and anxiety that he believed resulted from all sins against humanity, especially those of pride. In his preoccupation with sin he followed the tradition of his Puritan ancestors, but in his concept of the consequences of sin—as either punishment due to lack of humility and overwhelming pride, or regeneration by love and atonement—he deviated radically from the idea of predestination held by his forebears. Hawthorne characterized most of his books as romances, a category of literature not as strictly bound to realistic detail as novels. This freed him to manipulate the atmospheres of his scenes and the actions of his characters in order to represent symbolically the passions, emotions, and anxieties of his characters and to expose “the truth of the human heart” that he believed lies hidden beneath mundane daily life. Hawthorne's emphasis on allegory and symbolism often makes his characters seem shadowy and unreal, but his best characters reveal the emotional and intellectual ambivalence he felt to be inseparable from the Puritan heritage of America.
Conclusion:
Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Great Stone Face" immortalizes several poignant moments that explore the nature of virtue, authenticity, and the pursuit of greatness. Through the character of Ernest and his unwavering dedication to moral integrity, Hawthorne reminds us of the profound impact that individuals of true character can have on the world around them. The immortalized moments within this story serve as timeless reminders of the enduring value of goodness and the power of influence that lies within each individual.
In discussion bring out the powerful lesson of the story by such questions- answers as:
👉What was the Great Stone Face?
The Great Stone Face refers to a massive rock formation resembling the face of a benevolent and wise old man. It becomes a central symbol in the story, representing virtue, wisdom, and moral greatness.
👉What did young Ernest wish when he gazed at it?
Young Ernest wished to meet a man whose character would resemble the Great Stone Face, embodying wisdom and goodness.
👉What was the story attributed to the Stone Face?
The story attributed to the Stone Face was the prophecy that a man would come who would resemble it and become a great leader, bringing peace and prosperity to the valley.
👉What gave the people of the valley the idea that the prophecy was about to come true for the first time?
The people of the valley believed the prophecy was about to come true when they saw the resemblance between Ernest's face and the Stone Face, leading them to believe he was the long-awaited man of greatness.
👉Taking the story as a whole, which do you think are the most interesting characters?
The most interesting characters in the story are Ernest, who embodies virtue and humility, and the Great Stone Face itself, representing wisdom and moral ideals.
👉Does Hawthorne intend to make them real flesh-and-blood people?
Hawthorne uses allegory and symbolism, so while the characters may not be portrayed as real flesh-and-blood individuals, they represent deeper psychological and moral aspects of human nature.
👉Could they stand for certain types of people?
Yes, the characters can be seen as representing archetypal qualities. Ernest embodies virtue and moral integrity, while the Stone Face represents wisdom and goodness.
👉What is your idea of what you would like to become?
Individual responses may vary. One's idea of what they would like to become typically includes qualities such as personal growth, kindness, wisdom, and success in one's pursuits.
👉What was it that helped Ernest form his ideal of what he wished to become?
Ernest formed his ideal by observing the Great Stone Face and internalizing its wisdom, virtue, and benevolence as a guiding influence for his own character development.
👉Having an ideal is not enough; we must meditate upon it, act upon it. What do you admire in different people you know?
In different people, one may admire qualities like honesty, compassion, resilience, intelligence, and integrity.
👉Could you make a composite idea based on qualities you admire in different people?
Yes, one can combine admirable qualities from different individuals to create a composite idea of an ideal person, encompassing various positive attributes.
👉Do some people have false ideals about wealth, fame, glory, position, achievement, genius?
Yes, some people may have false ideals if they prioritize material gain, personal recognition, or superficial accomplishments over qualities like character, integrity, and genuine happiness.
👉Did Ernest see in Gathergold the likeness of the Stone Face?
No, Ernest did not see the likeness of the Stone Face in Gathergold. Gathergold represented worldly success and material wealth, contrasting with the moral values embodied by the Stone Face.
👉Who did he confide in, and how was he proved right?
Ernest confided in his mother and expressed his belief that the prophecy would come true through someone other than Gathergold or Blood-and-Thunder. He was proved right when his own character and actions aligned with the prophecy.
👉What made people believe General Blood-and-Thunder was their man?
People believed General Blood-and-Thunder was their man because of his military achievements, leadership qualities, and the passionate speeches he delivered, which appealed to their desire for power and dominance.
👉Ernest compared the man’s face with the Stone Face. What did he conclude?
Ernest concluded that the man's face did not resemble the Stone Face, indicating that he did not possess the qualities of wisdom and moral greatness symbolized by the Stone Face.
👉How was Ernest different from others in the valley?
Ernest was different from others in the valley because he possessed an unwavering commitment to virtue, humility, and moral integrity. While others were swayed by external appearances and worldly success, Ernest remained true to his inner ideals and the wisdom represented by the Stone Face.
👉Why did Ernest think the poet was like the Stone Face?
Ernest thought the poet was like the Stone Face because the poet's words and thoughts reflected a deep understanding of human nature, virtue, and the pursuit of higher truths. The poet's wisdom and introspection resonated with Ernest, reminding him of the wisdom embodied by the Stone Face.
👉What did the poet himself say about his thoughts and poems?
The poet himself stated that his thoughts and poems were inspired by a desire to reveal the truth of the human heart. He believed that beneath the ordinary aspects of daily life, there existed profound emotions, passions, and anxieties, and his writings sought to illuminate those hidden truths.
👉What made the poet proclaim Ernest was the Stone Face?
The poet proclaimed Ernest as the Stone Face when he witnessed the profound resemblance between Ernest's countenance and the features of the Stone Face. Recognizing Ernest's unwavering commitment to virtue and moral greatness, the poet declared him as the embodiment of the long-awaited prophecy.
👉What do you think the Great Stone Face stands for?
The Great Stone Face symbolizes wisdom, virtue, and moral greatness. It represents an ideal of goodness that inspires individuals to pursue noble values, and serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and inner character.
👉What is the great lesson for us?
The great lesson from "The Great Stone Face" is that true greatness lies in embodying moral integrity and living a life guided by noble principles. It encourages us to look beyond superficial achievements and to cultivate inner virtues that bring lasting fulfillment and positive influence on others.
👉What do we mean by an ideal? How do we form standards?
An ideal is a concept or model of excellence and moral virtue that we aspire to embody. We form standards by reflecting on the qualities we admire in others, the values we hold dear, and the principles we believe in. Standards are shaped through introspection, learning, and personal growth.
👉Where could we read suggestions about forming the right standards?
Suggestions about forming the right standards can be found in various philosophical and moral writings, self-help books, and religious texts. Additionally, exploring the works of great thinkers, studying ethical principles, and engaging in meaningful conversations can provide valuable insights into forming the right standards.
References
1. The Works Of Nathaniel Hawthorne(vol.ix) : Nathaniel Hawthorne : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.186154
2. Student companion to Nathaniel Hawthorne : Pennell, Melissa McFarland : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/studentcompanion00penn
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