Liberty and Utopia in the Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne
ABSTRACT
The conference explored the relationship between the idea of a perfect society and the idea of liberty, primarily through two novels, The Scarlet Letter and The Blithedale Romance. Conferees considered whether or not the attempt to achieve utopian perfection is in itself inimical to liberty.
READING LIST
Conference Readings
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Hawthorne: Collected Novels. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc., 1983.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Tales and Sketches Including Twice-told Tales, Mosses from an Old Manse, and The Snow-Image. Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 1982.
Nozick, Robert. Anarchy, State, and Utopia. New York: Basic Books, Inc., 1974.
Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Indianapolis: LibertyClassics, 1969, 1976.
Thoreau, Henry David. Walden and Other Writings. Edited by Brooks Atkinson. New York: Modern Library, 1950.