Lady Eleanore's Mantle: And Other Tales Of Mystery

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Lady Eleanore's Mantle and The Prophetic Pictures were originally published in the short-story anthology Twice-Told Tales (1837/42). The Birthmark and Rappacini's Daughter have been taken from Mosses From an Old Manse (1846), written in a Concord presbytery belonging to Emerson. Lady Eleanore's Mantle - Lady Eleanore has only just arrived from England with her retinue when she passes a funeral procession. The bell tolls... because death is on the prowl. An infatuated young man she does not care for offers her a glass of wine; she refuses to even touch it with her lips. He curses this arrogance and lack of compassion as a sin against the natural order. A plague spreads through the upper classes as well as the wretched streets of Cornhill. Protected from infection by his obsession, the young man gains access to the room where Lady Eleanore lies dying, lost to an excess of pride, as hated as she was admired - for the exclusive mantle from London was both the metaphorical and the literal source of contamination. The Prophetic Pictures - On the eve of their marriage, Walter and Elinore commission a famous artist to paint their portrait... that seems to him a hideous blemish on the otherwise perfect beauty of his wife. Rappacini's daughter - Dr Rappacini has shaped his daughter into a beautiful yet poisonous flower. Like her namesake, Beatrice guides her lover through the circles of Hell - but to ruin rather than salvation. These four spellbinding stories - written in sweeping, poetic prose - are all variations on the theme of the battle between good and evil; four prefigurations, one might say, of The Scarlet Letter. Because for Hawthorne, it is women who bear the stamp of destiny, victims of either their own selves or their subjugation.

Genres: Short Stories

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1851

About the author

Nathaniel Hawthorne was a 19th century American novelist and short story writer. He is seen as a key figure in the development of American literature for his tales of the nation's colonial history.

Shortly after graduating from Bowdoin College, Hathorne changed his name to Hawthorne. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. In 1837, he published Twice-Told Tales and became engaged to painter and illustrator Sophia Peabody the next year. He worked at a Custom House and joined a Transcendentalist Utopian community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before returning to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, leaving behind his wife and their three children.

Much of Hawthorne's writing centers around New England and many feature moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His work is considered part of the Romantic movement and includes novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend, the United States President Franklin Pierce.

Reviews

[Classic reverie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again the radio program "The Weird Circle" pulls me towards a story that I want to read, so I can compare and more important read the author's story. I had heard this radio version of " Lady Eleanore's Mantle" before but having just heard it tonight I was ready to read this short story which not for this show, I would never have thought of it.
I had done this with Hawthorne's Ethan Brand which the difference was greater but the point the same. In this story it basically held itself fairly close, the mantle with something magical and the female lead being the center of this tale. The difference is instead of power wanted in the radio version, it is extreme haughty pride of birth that Hawthorne centers on. I actually preferred the original because it rang truer to reality, at least IMO. I did not read this version but a Delphi Complete works of Nathaniel Hawthorne and this was the only listing for the story here.
The Weird Circle "The Curse of the Mantle" April 2, 1944.
https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com...

[Louis-ferdinand Goffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first touch with Nathaniel Hawthorne. Short stories in fantastic atmosphere, that I would put on the same shelf as Poe or Gautier, or Hoffmann. Liked it.