Nathaniel Hawthorne Fanshawe Summary

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Fanshawe: A Tale (1828) is a Gothic romantic novel set in a fictional New England town in the early 19th century, primarily around Harley College and its surrounding wilderness. The story follows Fanshawe, a shy and intellectual scholar who harbors love for Ellen Langton, a kind and beautiful young woman left in the care of Dr. Melmoth while her father is away at sea. Ellen attracts the admiration of both Fanshawe and Edward Walcott, a bold but immature student who later becomes her husband. The antagonist, known as the angler, is a former sailor with a dark past who kidnaps Ellen in an attempt to force her into marriage for financial gain. Other key figures include Dr. Melmoth, the college president and Ellen’s guardian, and Hugh Crombie, a reformed innkeeper with ties to the angler. The novel explores themes of fate versus free will, as Fanshawe believes in his premature death and sacrifices his love for Ellen to ensure her happiness. Sacrifice and selflessness are central to the story, as Fanshawe prioritizes Ellen’s future over his own desires. The battle between good and evil is evident in the contrast between Fanshawe’s integrity and the angler’s deceitful nature. Additionally, the novel portrays a coming-of-age journey for Edward, who matures over time, leaving behind his reckless ways.

The story kicks off in such a way that Dr. Melmoth is the president of a fictional college called Harley College. One day, he takes in Ellen Langton, the daughter of his friend, Mr. Langton, who is away at sea. Ellen is a young and beautiful girl, and many of the college students admire her. Two young men in particular—Edward Walcott and Fanshawe—are especially drawn to her. Edward is strong and full of energy, but he is also immature. Fanshawe, on the other hand, is quiet, thoughtful, and prefers books over people.

One day, Ellen, Edward, and Fanshawe go for a walk together. Along the way, they meet a strange man who does not reveal his name. He seems to be very skilled at fishing, so people call him “the angler.” The angler asks to speak to Ellen alone. When they talk, he tells her something in secret that clearly surprises and unsettles her. Edward and Fanshawe become suspicious of him and wonder what his real intentions are.

It turns out that the angler was once a sailor, just like Ellen’s father. He was even friends with Hugh Crombie, a man who now owns an inn. Long ago, the angler and Mr. Langton had been close, but they had a falling out. Now, the angler believes that Langton is dead, and he sees an opportunity to gain wealth by marrying Ellen. When he speaks to her in private, he lies and tells her that he has important news about her father. He convinces her to secretly leave Dr. Melmoth’s house and follow him. But his true plan is to kidnap her, tell her that her father is dead, and pressure her into marriage.

When Dr. Melmoth, Edward, and Fanshawe discover that Ellen is missing from her room, they immediately begin searching for her. Each man’s personality becomes clear through the way they react. Dr. Melmoth is too old and scholarly to search effectively, so he relies on Edward, who is strong and a skilled rider. Edward is the fastest of the searchers, and he is determined to fight the angler if needed. Fanshawe, who is physically weak and rides a slow horse, struggles to keep up. However, he meets an old woman who gives him important information. She lives in a cabin where another old woman—Widow Butler, the angler’s mother—has just passed away. Thanks to this woman’s help, Fanshawe is able to find Ellen and the angler before anyone else.

The angler has taken Ellen to a dangerous cliffside with a cave where he plans to keep her captive. By this time, Ellen has realized his true intentions and is frightened. Fanshawe arrives and stands on a high rock looking down at them. The angler sees him and decides to fight, climbing up the cliff to reach him. However, he grabs onto a weak twig that cannot support his weight. The twig breaks, and he falls from the cliff to his death.

Ellen faints from the shock. When she wakes up, Fanshawe is there to comfort her, and the two of them return to town safely.

Fanshawe deeply loves Ellen, but he knows he is not strong and healthy like Edward. He believes he will die young because of his isolated lifestyle. Mr. Langton, grateful for Fanshawe’s bravery in saving Ellen, offers him her hand in marriage as a reward. However, Fanshawe refuses. He does not want Ellen to suffer as a young widow. He also knows that Ellen has feelings for Edward.

Fanshawe dies at the young age of twenty. Four years later, Ellen and Edward get married. Over time, Edward matures. He grows out of his reckless habits, such as drinking too much and being impulsive, and he finds happiness with Ellen. The narrator says that they have a good life together, but the story ends on a slightly uncertain note—Ellen and Edward never have children.