Nathaniel Hawthorne And The Renaissance Tradition In 'The Marble Faun'

The purpose of this study of 'The Marble Faun" is to show that Nathaniel Hawthorne was indebted to the Renaissance literary tradition. Critical commentaries on the romance and on Hawthorne in general have been avoided as much as possible. Hawthorne's own statements and demonstrations of indebtedness to the Renaissance have been given primary consideration. Supplementary and background information has been supplied from sources known to Hawthorne as far as possible. In cases where Hawthorne's acquaintance with a particular source of Renaissance information could not be judiciously determined, the broadest and most representative statement available from the period has been cited.