The Wedding Knell

by
Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Wedding Knell is a short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864).

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on 4 July 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts in the family
home at 27 Hardy Street, now a museum. He was the son of Elizabeth Clarke Manning
and Nathaniel Hawthorne, a Captain in the U. S. Navy who died when Nathaniel was four
years old. His ancestors were some of the first Puritans to settle in the New England area
and the lingering guilt Hawthorne felt from his great grandfather having officiated during
the Salem Witch Trials provided a theme for many of his stories including The House of
Seven Gables. In Boston on 9 July 1842, Hawthorne married painter and fellow
transcendentalist Sophia Peabody with whom he would have three children; daughters
Una (1844-1877) and Rose (1851-1926), and future author Julian Hawthorne (18461934). The newly married couple settled in the heart of Transcendentalist country
Concorde, Massachusetts, living in the The Old Manse. Hawthornes collection of short
stories Mosses from an Old Manse (1846) was followed by his brooding Gothic romance
The House of Seven Gables (1851); Hawthorne became one of the leading writers of his
time, moving away from formalism and exploring the ideas of individual responsibility,
the importance of creative expression and mans relationship to the natural world.
Settings of The Wedding Knell story consist of setting time and place. Setting
time in the story is the morning when the ceremony of marriage between Mrs. Dabney
and Mr. Ellenwood. While setting the place is one of the magnificent church, surrounded
by beautiful green fence, which appears in jars, pillars, obelisks, and other forms of
monumental marble, personal tribute of affection, or more beautiful reminder of dust in
the historic city of New York
The tone of "The Wedding Knell" is a romance. This is evidenced by the
description of the setting-an Episcopalian church. "...within which appear urns, pillars,
obelisks, and other forms of monumental marble, the tributes of private affection, or more
splendid memorials of historic dust". The author also comments on the bridal party's
effect on the sanctuary: "...the gentlemen and ladies...came through the church-door with
the sudden and gladsome effect of a burst of sunshine". As the group progresses down the

aisle, the pews and pillars on either side seem to brighten. The literary elements used here
paint a beautifully detailed picture. This is a characteristic which defines many romances.
Additionally, so lovely is the language that it creates a heavenly atmosphere.
The developing of the conflicts was still when Mrs. Dabney entered the church to
get married, suddenly the bell rang so loudly as the bell for funerals which made the
invited guests whispered. They believed that a funeral bell is a bad omen for that
marriage. The climax of the story when Mr. Ellenwood walked closer to Mrs. Dabney
and spoke that the deacon stands waiting for them at the door of the tomb.
And the resolution of the story, Mr. Ellenwood was asked to marry Mrs. Dabney,
he stated that he married Mrs. Dabney was not for any other reason, but he really loves
the woman to immortality. Mrs. Dabney was willing to continue the marriage, and they
will let the love that had separated it met again and ends in eternity forever.
This story had two main characters. They were Mrs. Dabney, Mr. Ellenwood.
Mrs. Dabney was known as a wise woman, it might be more hospitable widow for a
fragility that makes it ridiculous. Other characters respond to what she's doing, like Mr.
Ellenwood, he was very disappointed with Mrs. Dabney because when Mrs. Dabney was
young and unmarried, Mr. Ellenwood had intended to marry her, but she was actually
married to someone else until it became a widow twice. Mr. Ellenwood was asked to
marry Mrs. Dabney; there was nothing left for him except old age and death. They still
marriage, and they will let the love that had separated it met again and ends in eternity
forever.
In the short story, The Wedding Knell the author uses figurative speech simile
and symbol. I think the reason of the author mostly uses that figurative speech (simile and
symbol) in his story because the writer describes one thing by comparing it to something
else. It is a good literary device to use to compare the abstract with something concrete,
in order to be understood by the reader. For example, it is the bridegroom in his frozen
shroud! Such aspects as the bodies, eyes, indeed, had a wild light dim lights, everything
was fixed in the stern calmness which old men wear in the coffin. Corpse stood
motionless. Groom compared with the bodies because he looks stiff and pale as he
walked into the wedding altar. The rich green is a symbol of beauty and liveliness which

contrasts sharply with the aged widow. Furthermore, the bridesmaids are all young,
beautiful ladies who make their way down the aisle as if they're in a ballroom.
The theme of "The Wedding Knell" story is a romantic. Romantic fiction usually
is based around romantic love. By using beautiful language when describing settings,
romances transform even the most ordinary of places into supernal realms. Additionally,
amorous feelings between characters are evident in romances.
"The wedding knell" is very interesting and beautiful story; it is strengthened by
the fact that love is described as a powerful force serves to show the romantic flare of this
story. As mentioned earlier, the aging couple has been separated for decades. They have
both traveled hard, dangerous road that has caused grief. However, despite their terrible
fate, their loves for each other has survived and remain pure. This has made it through
time and distance. The deep love is shown by the last act. "... Victory organ peal
solemnly immersed in wedding bells"