The Marble Faun, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is one of his finer works. The book combines an intricate plot, similar to Adam and Eve, with a mystery and romantic setting. Rather than having a single protagonist and antagonist, Hawthorne creates four characters, each receiving equal attention, and all artists.

Miriam, the painter, seems to represent hidden evil, although she wishes she were pure, as her friend Hilda is. Donatello: the ebullient child, the faun, and the Count of Monte Beni, is soon darkened in Rome and gains a weight to carry the rest of h is life. Kenyon, the sculptor, seems to be the only character not weighed down by some characteristic. He is plain and kind, but not pure. Kenyon also desires Hilda�s hand, although he fears he will never receive her love. Last of all is the pure, swe et, angel Hilda. She is devoutly religious, and of New England Puritan ancestry. Not until she is witness to Miriam and Donatello�s act, does she seek guidance in the Catholic confessional.



Hawthorne uses numerous representations of the characters in inanimate objects. The wonderful wine at the Monte Beni vineyards is described as the best wine in Italy. When it is taken out of the castle, however, it rapidly loses it�s flavor. The s ame may be said of Donatello, the castle�s master. A fountain of a nymph, and the story that accompanies it, represents Miriam�s forcing of her problem upon the pure Hilda. Even the vineyards suggest the life of the four friends. As Kenyon is looking o ut over the fields, he sees at once rain, sun, and clouds.

The Marble Faun is a complex and excellent work of literature. Despite its length and slight difficulty reading, it holds the reader in suspense. It has a simple plot on the surface: three young American artists and one younger Italian Count meet i n Rome. While here, the Italian becomes smitten with Miriam and falls in love with her. Miriam, however, has a horrible past, and a shadow. One evening her stalker approaches her and Donatello attacks him, knocking him into a chasm. Hilda witnesses t his, and her pure soul becomes darkened. Donatello, once the young bubbly faun, is transformed into a lethargic and depressed adult. Kenyon and Hilda are young friends, although Kenyon desires more. In one section he �steals� a cast of Hilda�s hand by looking at it. In the conclusion Kenyon finally wins the love of Hilda, Donatello and Miriam leave together to suffer in their misery. Finally, after the narrative is over, the afterword provides an update from Kenyon and Hilda to the reader.