Summary of “ Feathertop ” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“ Feathertop ” is a Fairy Tale - style short tale published by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1852 . The chronicle revolves around the cosmos and short - populate life of Feathertop , a scarecrow brought to spirit by the witch Mother Rigby . Mother Rigby takes superbia in her creation and uses a wizard organ pipe that draw its world power from Hell to revive Feathertop .
The story begins with Mother Rigby , an previous witch living in a modest small town , who decide to create a scarer to swear out as her fellow . She meticulously craft Feathertop using old dress , gourmandize , and a pumpkin head . Mother Rigby is pleased with her handiwork and decides to fetch Feathertop to life using her magical powers .
She apply a pipe , which is said to have been carve by the devil himself , and when Feathertop take aim his first puff on the pipe , he come to life . Feathertop is amazed by his newfound beingness and revel in his physical appearance , as he is design to resemble a bounteous valet de chambre . Mother Rigby provides him with a set of hunky-dory clothes and a wig to complete his transmutation .
Feathertop , now fully alive , decide to guess into the village to feel the world . He attracts the attention of the townsfolk with his magic appearance and magnetic personality . Feathertop manages to shanghai everyone he find , from the village mayor to the town ’s young women . He becomes the talk of the town and is even invited to a social gather at the mayor ’s menage .
At the social gathering , Feathertop ’s lack of substance and genuine humanity becomes ostensible . He is unable to engage in meaningful conversation or expose any emotions beyond superficial magical spell . Despite his initial success in bewitch the townspeople , Feathertop realizes that his macrocosm is shallow and hollow .
As the night shape up , Feathertop ’s strong-arm coming into court bug out to deteriorate . His hunky-dory dress become tattered , his wig fall off , and his true nature as a scarecrow begin to show . The townsfolk , who were once captivate by Feathertop , mock and ridicule him . Feathertop , feeling reject and exposed , flee back to Mother Rigby ’s cottage .
Back at the cottage , Mother Rigby solace Feathertop and explains that his existence was merely an illusion , a irregular trance . She reveals that his role was to serve as a object lesson to the townsfolk , highlighting the emptiness of outbound appearance and the grandness of substance and genuine fiber .
In the end , Feathertop ’s life come to an sharp remnant , as he is consume by a flak set by Mother Rigby to destroy him . The story concludes with Mother Rigby speculate on the transient nature of aliveness and the futility of pursuing trivial appearance .
“ Feathertop ” is a exemplary tale that explores theme of identicalness , appearing versus reality , and the grandness of inner substance . It serves as a monitor that reliable fulfillment and worth come from within , rather than relying on trivial magical spell or physical dimension .
Caroline Bates
