The Prophetic Pictures (From "Twice Told Tales") by Nathaniel Hawthorne
"The Prophetic Pictures (From 'Twice Told Tales') by Nathaniel Hawthorne" is a short story that is part of a collection commonly known as "Twice Told Tales," written during the early to mid-19th century. This tale explores themes of art, fate, and the deeper truths hidden beneath the surface of human experience. It delves into the idea of how a painter’s work can reflect not just the physical likeness of his subjects but
also their inner emotions and destinies. In the narrative, young lovers Walter Ludlow and Elinor visit a gifted painter who possesses an extraordinary talent for capturing the essence of a person's soul in his portraits. As they sit for their paintings, the artist creates what he perceives, and the portraits begin to exhibit unsettling expressions that reflect the couple’s emotional states and future. Over time, the line between art and life blurs, leading to a chilling climax where Walter, influenced by the ominous reflection of his own portrait, confronts Elinor with a knife, mirroring the terrible fate depicted in the paintings. The story ultimately poses profound questions about free will and the power of prophecy as seen through the lens of art, leaving readers to ponder the fate intertwined with human desires. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Prophetic Pictures (From "Twice Told Tales") |
| Note | Reading ease score: 68.6 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Note | Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twice-Told_Tales |
| Credits | Produced by David Widger |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Subject | New England -- Social life and customs -- Fiction |
| Subject | Historical fiction, American |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 9204 |
| Release Date | Nov 1, 2005 |
| Most Recently Updated | Jan 28, 2021 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 178 downloads in the last 30 days. |
| Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free! | |
