Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne — Story, Setting & Ideas

Editorial Structure and Navigation

The index is organized into a single list of works, each preceded by "##" for linked tables of contents. This design prioritizes quick access over descriptive annotation. For instance, The House of the Seven Gables appears with a chapter breakdown, while Twice-Told Tales lists individual story titles like "Beneath An Umbrella" and "Main Street." The absence of summaries or critical commentary keeps the focus on the works themselves.

Widger's editorial choices are evident in the grouping of related texts: A Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales are listed separately and together, with different illustrators noted (Maxfield Parrish and V. F. Sterrett). This suggests an attempt to accommodate multiple editions. The index also includes lesser-known pieces like "Journal of A Solitary Man" and "Dr. Bullivant," broadening the scope beyond Hawthorne's major novels.

Language and Voice Across the Index

The index's language shifts between Hawthorne's own titles and Widger's editorial framing. Hawthorne's chapter headings, such as "The Old Pyncheon Family" and "The Little Shop-Window," employ a descriptive, almost allegorical style. In contrast, Widger's instructions are direct: "Click on the title itself to open the original online file." This juxtaposition creates a layered reading experience, where the index's functional prose frames Hawthorne's literary voice.

Illustration captions excerpted from the texts—like "He tugged and toiled amain" from The Golden Fleece—preserve Hawthorne's rhythmic phrasing. The index also includes repeated headings like "Tailpiece" and "Headpiece," which signal the visual structure of illustrated editions. These details, though minimal, offer glimpses into how Hawthorne's works were originally presented.

Pacing and Selection of Works

The index's pacing is determined by its list format: long entries for multi-volume works (e.g., Passages from the English Notebooks in two volumes) are followed by shorter ones like Fanshawe. This variation reflects the breadth of Hawthorne's output, from novels to sketches. The inclusion of Love Letters and Doctor Grimshawe's Secret suggests an interest in unpublished or posthumous material.

Notably, the index does not prioritize works by popularity; The Scarlet Letter appears near the end, after A Wonder Book. This arrangement may stem from the order of Project Gutenberg releases rather than literary merit. The final sections shift to legal and donation information, abruptly changing the pace from literary catalog to administrative text.

This index serves as a practical tool for navigating Hawthorne's digital corpus. Readers interested in tracing his development might compare the early Fanshawe with the later Marble Faun, both listed here. The inclusion of notebooks and letters offers insight into his creative process. Use the linked tables of contents to explore specific chapters or illustrations, and note the editorial choices in grouping and titling.

There’s something comforting about how an Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne lets you wander through a mind’s collected corners, unforced. It reminded me of the quiet patience in A dictionary of English proverbs and proverbial phrases — Key Ideas to Explore—both are less about rushing to an ending, more about sitting with the fragments that stay.