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How did Nathaniel Hawthorne’s views differ from Transcendentalism?

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A son of Salem — Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne's ancestors in Salem, Massachusetts, were Puritans named Hathorne. He added a w to his name when he began writing.

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s perspective diverged significantly from the Transcendentalists, despite his personal acquaintance with figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau in Concord.1

While Transcendentalism was characterized by an idealistic belief in the innate goodness of humanity and a transparent optimism regarding human potential, Hawthorne maintained a more somber outlook. Influenced by his Puritan heritage, Hawthorne was deeply preoccupied with the concepts of original sin, guilt, and the inescapable weight of conscience.23

Rather than embracing the Transcendentalist focus on transcending the material world to reach a state of spiritual freedom, Hawthorne engaged in a resolute scrutiny of the human condition. He acknowledged the presence of suffering and conflict in life, viewing them as fundamental realities rather than obstacles to be transcended. Ultimately, Hawthorne rejected the optimism of his neighbors, preferring to explore the complexities, ambiguities, and moral struggles inherent in human choices through his symbolic romances.21