Hawthorne - Early Years Part II

In which the gentle reminiscences and subtle contrasts of Salem's old-world charm and faded maritime prosperity furnish an evocative backdrop to the early life of young Hawthorne, whose solitary proclivities and unremarkable schoolboy years quietly hint at the temperament of the future writer. His collegiate days at Bowdoin, marked by modest scholarly effort and formative friendships, are touched upon with a soft, observant grace that recalls the innocence of youth and the nascent stirrings of literary ambition.