Hawthorne or Emerson?

Question

I'm in an American Lit class & my text continually states that Emerson is the greatest writer in American history. My personal opinion is that Nathaniel Hawthorne (particularly Young Goodman Brown and The Scarlet Letter) are far greater works than Emerson's. Your thoughts, and why?

Answer 1

I think you should distrust a text that makes such judgments. Emerson is a great essayist, but I would argue that his friend Henry David Thoreau was better. Hawthorne was a great fiction writer (I think the best American of the 19th century, but others would argue that Mark Twain deserves that honor, and most Europeans, esp. the French, would probably prefer Edgar Allan Poe).

It's hard--in fact, impossible--to make such comparisons between essayists and novelists. Now to complicate the matter further, I would contend that really the best American writers of the 19th century and, in fact, maybe of all time are Walt Whitman and Emily Dickenson. Not only were they great writers, but they were innovative writers who have influenced many, many (if not all) American writers since their work was published. And after more than a hundred years, their works are still accessible to the general reader and enjoyable to most, at least certain selections; for example, "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd," and "I'm nobody, who are you?" or "Because I could not stop for death . . ."

So enjoy. And ignore the biases of your textbook! And, by the way, ignore my biases, too!! Make you own judgments.

Answer 2

Probably there is some literary reason why they regard Emerson so highly. Personal taste is personal taste, and if you like Hawthorne better, then he would be the greatest to you. Frankly, I can remember Hawthorne from my schooling; Emerson's just a blur so I must have gotten more from Hawthorne.

I'm more of a Whitman and Hemingway fan myself, though.

Answer 3

Hawthorne was a novelist, Emerson was a philosopher. Both were excellent in their own fields. But deciding one over the other is like comparing apples and oranges.

Answer 4

I love Hawthorne. I just finished the "Scarlet Letter" I love his style of writing. That's how I like to write sometimes. His use of symbolism and metaphors is so amazing.

Answer 5

Hawthorne, I find his books are more enjoyable. Easy to follow and I just like his style.

Answer 6

Hawthorne is far better, in my opinion. Try "The Minister's Black Veil"- you might like it.

Answer 7

I agree with you--Hawthorne is inexplicably underrated. Perhaps he was considered taboo? All I know is that Hawthorne's talet is ageless.

Answer 8

Emerson. His works are poetic and deeply insightful.