Symbolism

A hunger Artist was a good story that I found very enjoyable. It was about a man who fasted for absurdly long periods of time. He fasted for forty days and then when it was done he desired more attention and joined a circus where he fasted until his death and his cage was then replaced by a Tiger. The Symbolism in the story that I noticed was the main character was meant to depict the everyday artist. The everyday misunderstood artist that seeks the approval of others while not wanting to be forgotten after they have achieved something. The main character showed the loneliness of artists and the quest for meaning and accomplishment.

The second story by Hawthorne was similar to the other works of his that I have read. It was about a man who was tempted by the devil to the woods and was intent on joining some type of unholy alliance. On his way out to the woods he has some second thoughts, upon his arrival he see that he is among several of members of his town inclduing his own wife. As he and his wife prepeare to be intiated he yells out to the heavens and everyone disppears and for the remainder of his life he is unsure if the events actually happened. He never is able to trust again. The man's trip in the woods with the devil is a symbol for the search and discovery of evil and all of the towns people being there already is a symbol for the inner thoughts and inner nature of the everyday curious human being. The sinful nature of all is shown in this story.