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1997

Hawthorne

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Taking A Perspective: Hawthorne's Concept Of Language And Nineteenth-Century Language Theory, Patricia M. Roger Mar 1997

Taking A Perspective: Hawthorne's Concept Of Language And Nineteenth-Century Language Theory, Patricia M. Roger

English Faculty Publications

This essay examines Hathorne's concept of language and the characteristic indeterminacy of his writing in the context of nieteenth-century language study. Recently, two opposing theoretical postionss have emerged to account for this indeterminacy-the deconstructionist view as exemplified by J. Hillis Miller's analysis of 'The Minister's Black Veil' and the more historical and political view that Jonathan Arac Takes in 'The Politics of The Scarlet Letter.' I argue that although Hawthorne's indeterminacy may invite a deconstructionist analysis, it is a product of his historical context, not ours, and although, as Arac argues. Hawthornes's indeterminacy may be connected to a politics of …

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