| Author |
Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 |
| Title |
Septimius Felton, or, the Elixir of Life
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 67.0 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
|
| Credits |
Produced by Eric Eldred, Emily Ratliff, Curtis A. Weyant
and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
|
| Summary |
"Septimius Felton, or, the Elixir of Life" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a novel written in the late 19th century. This story explores profound themes such as the quest for immortality and the struggles inherent in human existence, centered around the character of Septimius Felton, a young man drawn into philosophical musings about life and death against the backdrop of rising tensions in colonial America. The opening of the novel introduces us to a serene spring day, where three young friends—Septimius Felton, Robert Hagburn, and Rose Garfield—converse on a hillside near Concord. Their discussion broaches the topic of life’s fleeting nature and the possibility of a forthcoming conflict, hinting at Septimius's brooding, philosophical nature, which contrasts sharply with the more vibrant personalities of Robert and Rose. The narrative quickly shifts from idyllic moments to the dramatic early stages of war, culminating in a tense encounter where Septimius tragically takes the life of a charming British officer. This act sets in motion Septimius's internal turmoil and contemplation of life's meaning, paving the way for the book's exploration of morality, identity, and the profound consequences of our actions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
|
| Subject |
United States -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
|
| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
7372 |
| Release Date |
Jan 1, 2005 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Apr 14, 2014 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
130 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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