The Vision of the Fountain, and Fancy's Show-Box, and Beneath An Umbrella; From "Twice Told Tales"

Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and short story writer known for his dark, psychological explorations of the human experience. His most notable works include "The Scarlet Letter," a novel about the consequences of sin and guilt in Puritan society, and "The House of the Seven Gables," a novel that examines the effects of ancestral guilt on a New England family. Hawthorne's literary style is characterized by his use of symbolism, allegory, and moral ambiguity, which has had a lasting impact on American literature. His works are considered classics of American literature and have influenced generations of writers.