Hawthorne and Margaret Fuller

Like Wendy me research has to do a lot with Margaret Fuller and her affects on the book. I initially started with the idea of Women's Rights and how it affected Hawthorne but came to the conclusion it was too broad, so I refined it and focused my research on Margaret Fuller.

Hawthorne had a very interesting relationship with Margaret Fuller. One can conclude Hawthorne's relationship with Margaret Fuller was the most intimate relationship he had with any women. Hawthorne was happily married to Sophia Peabody but he was never able to connect with her like he did with Fuller.

Initially, Hawthorne disliked Fuller and thought she was too bold. She also called her "naughty Sophia" and wanted to refine her and make her more "pure" (111). His initial dislike turned into somewhat a friendship during his experiences at Brook Farm, a place where Fuller frequently visited. During their experience at Brook Farm they came to establish a respect for each other. They started critiquing and at times praising each others works. They also confided in each other very frequently. As evident in Hawthorne's letters, he had many one on one conversations with Fuller. After one conversation Hawthorne writes a letter, which included an almost endless of topics they discussed (114). His willingness and excitement to freely talk about almost everything signals their close and intimate relationship. They frequently exchanged letters and engaged in close conversation on a variety of matters, even private matters: "there is nobody to whom I would more willingly speak my mind, because I can be certain of being throughly understood" (115). It is evident that Hawthorne and Fuller have a very deep connection; Fuller became his most trusted confidant.

It is interesting how their relationship developed and grew. Their relationship parallels Coverdale and Zenobias greatly. The character Zenobia is also inspired by Fuller. Fuller was an inspiration to Hawthorne on many occasions. I still have a lot more research to do their on Fuller and her relationship and influence on Hawthorne.