The Blithedale Romance
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Blithedale Romance is the third of the major novels of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Much of the action of the novel is set at Blithedale, a utopian socialist community that is founded upon anti-capitalist ideals, yet is destroyed by the self-interested behavior of its members.
Source: Hawthorne, N. (1852) The Blithedale Romance Concord : Ticknor and Fields
- Preface
- The author explains to the reader that the basis for the book came from the story Book Farm.
- Chapter I: “Old Moodie”
- The narrator talks of the Veiled Lady and Mr. Moodie.
- Chapter II: “Blithedale”
- The narrator describes a journey through a storm.
- Chapter III: “A Knot of Dreamers”
- The introduction of Zenobia and the ideals the community plans to live by during their "experiment" at Blithedale
- Chapter IV: “The Supper-Table”
- The community is interrupted during their first evening together by the arrival of Hollingsworth and a mysterious stranger.
- Chapter V: “Until Bedtime”
- Coverdale observes his new companions.
- Chapter VI: “Coverdale’s Sick-Chamber”
- Coverdale is bed-ridden due to illness. He is attended by Hollingsworth during his rantings, forming a friendship between the men. Zenobia visits with gruel, and he tries to discover the secrets of her past.
- Chapter VII: “The Convalescent”
- Priscilla visits Coverdale with a gift. Hollingsworth and Coverdale argue about the ideas of philanthropy.
- Chapter VIII: “A Modern Arcadia”
- Coverdale compares the feminine characteristics of Zenobia and Priscilla. He discusses the plan for the community at Blithedale, and the reaction of those outside the community.
- Chapter IX: “Hollingsworth, Zenobia, Priscilla”
- Coverdale studies the relationships forming between Hollingsworth, Zenobia, and Priscilla. He tries to exert his own influence within this circle.
- Chapter X: “A Visitor from Town”
- Moodie reappears, on a mysterious visit to see the ladies of Blithedale.
- Chapter XI: “The Wood-Path”
- Coverdale encounters a stranger bound for Blithedale, and begins to question his involvement with Zenobia.
- Chapter XII: “Coverdale’s Hermitage”
- Coverdale uses his "hermitage" to try to learn more about the stranger and Zenobia's relationship.
- Chapter XIII: “Zenobia’s Legend”
- Zenobia tells a legend involving the mystery of the Veiled Lady.
- Chapter XIV: “Eliot’s Pulpit”
- The foursome spend time at Eliot's Pulpit, discussing issues of womens' rights.
- Chapter XV: “A Crisis”
- Hollingsworth and Coverdale face-off regarding the ideas of philanthropy held by the former and opposed by the latter.
- Chapter XVI: “Leave-Takings”
- Coverdale decides to leave Blithedale for the city.
- Chapter XVII: “The Hotel”
- Arriving in the city, Coverdale spends most of his time alone in his rooms.
- Chapter XVIII: “The Boarding-House”
- Coverdale is surprised to discover the identity of his neighbors.
- Chapter XIX: “Zenobia’s Drawing-Room”
- Zenobia and Coverdale meet again, though much has changed since their first meeting at Blithedale.
- Chapter XX: “They Vanish”
- Coverdale makes an attempt to "protect" Priscilla, who chooses to leave with Zenobia and the professor.
- Chapter XXI: “An Old Acquaintance”
- Coverdale seeks out Moodie, trying to discover the secrets of Priscilla's past.
- Chapter XXII: “Fauntleroy”
- Many questions are answered in the history told by Moodie.
- Chapter XXIII: “A Village-Hall”
- Once again, the Veiled Lady returns. Coverdale encounters several of his Blithedale companions.
- Chapter XXIV: “The Masqueraders”
- Upon his return to Blithedale, Coverdale stumbles upon a strange scene.
- Chapter XXV: “The Three Together”
- Issues are confronted as the foursome is once again reunited at Eliot's Pulpit.
- Chapter XXVI: “Zenobia and Coverdale”
- Zenobia breaks down and asks Coverdale to relay a message to Hollingsworth before disappearing into the woods.
- Chapter XXVII: “Midnight”
- Coverdale, Hollingsworth, and Foster are forced to take on an unhappy midnight search, with tragic results.
- Chapter XXVIII: “Blithedale-Pasture”
- The community at Blithedale hosts a funeral.
- Chapter XXIX: “Miles Coverdale’s Confession”
- Coverdale makes one final confession.