Symbolism In 'Maypole Of Merry Mount' By Nathaniel Hawthorne
Two hundred years ago, Puritans, having escaped from their sovereign European civilization are not yet acquainted to the new freedoms they have been desperately wanting. They rebuked many of the Merry Mount colonists who were a “different sort of people (Chen).” Puritans were filled with extreme beliefs which caused them to harm anyone who believed anything separate from their views. This is a common reality of today’s life as well; Nevertheless, Hawthorne’s work is based largely on symbolism. Hawthorne uses colors to symbolize the different aspects of Puritans lifestyle. He wants his readers to feel the variety of emotions through colors by bringing attention to a rainbow. The story itself is also based on some historical truth. For Example,
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Merry Mount currently resides in Boston and a trader named Captain Wollaston created the village of Merry Mount in 1625. In the town stands a maypole, “A tall, slender pine tree with a banner at the top containing the colors of the rainbow (Cummings).” The maypole is a very important landmark for the townsman in Merry Mount. It symbolizes the personality and giddiness of the people. The variety of colors matches the feeling of the town and it is worshipped almost as a second god. “The maypole is a beautiful sight, contrasting markedly with the grotesque costumers of revelers holding hands around it (Cummings), gives readers a better visual of how praised the pole is. Hawthorne signifies the youth in the center of the revelers with a scarf across his chest and a staff signifying his authority over the revelers. Cummings states that the roses are scattered across the revelers feet and bear the title “Lord and Lady of the May” and behind them is an Anglican priest decorated with flowers. Hawthorne consistently describes the colors and atmosphere around the maypole and the symbolic aura it gives off. With all the attention the maypole is receiving, the puritans are upset at the revelers who appear to be praising devils and lost souls
Merry Mount currently resides in Boston and a trader named Captain Wollaston created the village of Merry Mount in 1625. In the town stands a maypole, “A tall, slender pine tree with a banner at the top containing the colors of the rainbow (Cummings).” The maypole is a very important landmark for the townsman in Merry Mount. It symbolizes the personality and giddiness of the people. The variety of colors matches the feeling of the town and it is worshipped almost as a second god. “The maypole is a beautiful sight, contrasting markedly with the grotesque costumers of revelers holding hands around it (Cummings), gives readers a better visual of how praised the pole is. Hawthorne signifies the youth in the center of the revelers with a scarf across his chest and a staff signifying his authority over the revelers. Cummings states that the roses are scattered across the revelers feet and bear the title “Lord and Lady of the May” and behind them is an Anglican priest decorated with flowers. Hawthorne consistently describes the colors and atmosphere around the maypole and the symbolic aura it gives off. With all the attention the maypole is receiving, the puritans are upset at the revelers who appear to be praising devils and lost souls