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In the Blithedale Romance, written by Nathanial Hawthorne, there is an underlying theme that is presented to the reader: that even in an “ideal” society, people can have trouble making the right decisions.
The reason why the characters, and, theoretically, people in general, have trouble with making the right decisions, is their self-centered behavior. An example of this is shown in the sexual/romantic tension between two of the main female characters—Priscilla and Zenobia. Both women find themselves enamored with one of the main male characters, Hollingsworth; creating Zenobia’s evident hatred for Priscilla. Not only does the romance create breaks in potential friendships, but it also makes Miles Coverdale, the chief character of the novel, feel alienated from Hollingsworth. This comes about when Coverdale questions the possibility of a beautiful and intellectual woman like Zenobia falling in love with a mentally dim-witted man (Hollingsworth). This brings out the egotistical and jealous side of Coverdale, and indirectly leads to him leaving Blithedale for the city.
This natural tendency to become selfish is shown throughout human societies. One cannot help but think of himself in times of need or even in times of pleasure. In all things, a person’s own self comes before the needs of others or of the society in itself. Even Hollingsworth, who seems to be a selfless man working only for the benefit of those in need, appears, by the end of the novel, to only want to turn Blithedale into a detention for delinquents—not considering the wants of the other members of Blithedale. Zenobia, who gives the impression of being delighted with the idea of Blithedale’s faultless society, soon grows weary of working and, almost immediately after Coverdale’s departure from Blithedale, leaves as well. The only character in the novel who does not come off as self-concerned is Priscilla. The only plausible explanation for this is that, due to her quiet and nervous nature—in part, the fault of her father and aloof sister, Zenobia—she cannot bring herself to state her own needs. There is no doubt, however, that she adores Hollingsworth as well as Zenobia, and will do their bidding without considering either Coverdale or the society’s needs.
Although the idea of a utopian society is always intriguing, it cannot endure, as is proven in the Blithedale Romance.
