Hawthorne, Nathaniel: 1804-1864
Doctor Heidegger's Experiment, 1837 - Language/Style
- English Language Level: Challenging
- Archaic Vocabulary – Some words and phrases were common in the 19th century but are less familiar today (e.g., “phantasm,” “venerable,” “antiquity”).
Complex Sentence Structure – Hawthorne often uses long, descriptive sentences with multiple clauses, which can slow comprehension.
Abstract and Philosophical Themes – The story explores ideas like human folly, mortality, and the passage of time, requiring careful reading to grasp the moral and symbolic nuances.
Symbolism and Figurative Language – Hawthorne’s use of allegory, metaphor, and symbolism adds another layer of difficulty for modern readers.
- Archaic Vocabulary – Some words and phrases were common in the 19th century but are less familiar today (e.g., “phantasm,” “venerable,” “antiquity”).
- While the basic vocabulary is understandable, the combination of old-fashioned language, sentence complexity, and symbolic depth makes it challenging overall.