Wakefield by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Wakefield is a brief yet psychologically rich short story that stands as a classic example of American Romanticism. First published in 1835, the story tells of a man who quietly leaves his home and wife for twenty years—only to live in the same neighborhood and secretly observe her. With its deep psychological undertones, Wakefield explores themes of identity, alienation, and the quiet absurdity of human behavior.
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Plot Summary
The story follows Wakefield, an unremarkable man living in London. One day, without explanation, he tells his wife he will be gone for a few days. Instead of traveling, he rents a room nearby and remains there, secretly watching his wife and former home—for twenty years.
Hawthorne narrates the story as an ironic observer, puzzling over Wakefield’s motives. When Wakefield finally returns, he resumes life as if nothing happened.
Key Themes and Analysis
1. Identity and Self-Alienation
Wakefield’s mysterious withdrawal reflects a deeper crisis of identity. His prolonged absence from his own life suggests a desire to examine himself from a distance. Hawthorne poses the unsettling question: Can a person become a stranger to their own life?
2. The Ordinary Turned Absurd
The story presents an everyday man who engages in an extraordinary act of detachment. Hawthorne’s subtle irony shows how absurd behavior can emerge from the most average characters, revealing a darker truth about the human condition.
3. Isolation and Observation
Wakefield lives in a kind of suspended animation, choosing passive observation over engagement. This reflects Romanticism’s interest in the introspective and psychological, particularly the effects of alienation on the soul.
4. Moral Reflection
Though brief, the story serves as a moral parable. Hawthorne reflects on the importance of connection and warns against the spiritual emptiness that can arise from selfish withdrawal.
Style and Literary Devices
Hawthorne employs a reflective and ironic narrative voice, inviting readers to both sympathize with and critique Wakefield. The story lacks dramatic action but gains depth through psychological detail and philosophical commentary. It’s a perfect example of Romantic-era fiction that fuses realism with mystery.
Legacy and Significance
Wakefield is widely studied for its originality and psychological insight. It anticipates modernist themes of fragmentation and identity confusion, showing Hawthorne’s literary innovation. Despite its brevity, it remains one of the most haunting and thought-provoking tales in American literature.
Conclusion
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Wakefield challenges readers to question the boundaries between self and society, action and inaction, identity and anonymity. With its simple premise and complex implications, the story exemplifies Romantic literature’s fascination with the inner workings of the human mind.
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