This thesis aims to illuminate the limitations of ideal society and the possibility of human salvation by examining the main characters'' patterns of behavior in The Blithedale Romance. Chapter II deals with the negative aspects inherent in the radical reform movement. Chapter III infers the probability of human salvation by examining a sign of Coverdale''s transformation and Priscilla''s positive qualities.
Several characters disregarding the actualities and participating in the new project of Blithedale to realize their long-cherished dream appear in The Blithedale Romance based on Hawthorne''s Brook Farm experiment. In the beginning, the transcendentalists gathering together in Blithedale to build up the ideal community try to achieve brotherhood in harmony with body and soul. According to transcendentalists'' ethic, all Blithedale reformers should help every member to achieve their reform goal and they should be considerate of the others like brothers and sisters. But they lack in sense of reality and have much trouble to communicate with each other. In the course of time, they show no consideration of the others there.
Miles Coverdale, the central figure in this novel, plays an important role in observing the reformers as a narrator. He also joins Blithedale to put the social reform movement into practice like the others there. Hawthorne manages to uncover some problems in establishing ideal community by dramatizing the participants'' self-righteousness, selfishness, irresponsibility, and jealousy. As a cold observer, Coverdale explores the weaknesses of egotists, faithless lovers, and egocentric feminists, all of whom undercut the high purposes of Blithedale. Hollingsworth is a monomaniacal philanthropist. In fact, he has the hardness of heart. His egocentric inclination leads to Zenobia''s suicide and injures Priscilla. Zenobia is an unconvincing feminist. Zenobia''s intentional cruelty to Priscilla leads to the violation of the ethic, and the failure of Coverdale and Hollingsworth to get along together as brothers implies the failure of the Blithedale experiment.
Characteristically, these main characters have some specific personalities, which indicate the tragic fate inherent in the transcendental reform movement taking no account of the actual world. Coverdale takes part in the movement, but keeps himself aloof from it. Hollingsworth''s single-minded perfectionism collides with Zenobia''s pride and competitive nature. Zenobia rebukes the innocent and thoughtful Priscilla living up to the essential nature of woman as conceived by Hawthorne. Hollingsworth''s monomania and Zenobia''s sensual eloquence make Coverdale helpless. However, Coverdale’s final return to the actual world by reaching his self-awareness and Priscilla''s devoted care of discouraged Hollingsworth can be interpreted to show a sign of hope which suggests the possibility of ideal community.
In The Blithedale Romance, Hawthorne satirically explores the possibility of human salvation based on faith and love by dramatizing Blithedale reformers'' artificial life without mutual communication.
In conclusion, The Blithedale Romance ironically presents that it’s impossible to achieve a social reform movement, however high its goal may be, if its members cannot practice altruistic love based upon mutual trust.