July 8, 2024
Did you know that Nathaniel Hawthorne, notable author of The Scarlet Letter, wrote delightful retellings of famous Greek myths for children entitled A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys? Did you know that Nathaniel Hawthorne enjoyed a beautiful and loving marriage to his beloved Sophia Peabody with whom he had three children (they even wrote a joint diary together!)? Did you know that Nathaniel Hawthorne spent much of his working career, not as an author, but in various clerical and diplomatic roles? All of these interesting (to me, at least) facts came from a quick but motivated personal study of Hawthorne.
After snatching A Wonder Book for Girls and and Boys from the thrift store, I sadly let this book sit on my shelf for some time. One of my current tome’s referenced Hawthorne’s book for children, and instantly my interest was piqued and the book picked off the shelf. I dove somewhat hesitantly into A Wonder Book but was soon engrossed in Eustace Bright’s (the narrator’s) whimsical retellings of classic tales, and my interest in the creative genius behind this book grew.
I wanted to learn more about Nathaniel Hawthorne. With my curiosity aroused, I desired to learn more about this creative writer, and so I personally pursued knowledge about him. I was loving to learn.
A casual glance at the back cover revealed some interesting facts about Nathaniel Hawthorne, including other works he wrote, some specifically for children which caught my homeschooling mama attention. How had I missed Hawthorne’s works for children? Hawthorne’s works took center stage in several of my high school and college literature courses, yet I never knew he wrote other works for young people. Perhaps my teachers mentioned his other works, yet my mind never absorbed the information as pertinent.
A quick read about Nathaniel Hawthorne on Wikipedia opened my understanding of the man. A link in Wikipedia lead me to a short biography about Hawthorne’s wife, Sophia Peabody, an artist and writer herself, and soon a more comprehensive picture of the Hawthornes formed in my mind as I became more acquainted with them. Do you see how a curiosity about one man lead me to learn something else, and before I knew what had happened, I had read and lightly researched an influential American couple?
If you had given me an assignment and said, “Ashley, your homework for tonight is to research Nathaniel and Sophia Hawthorne,” I would have groaned and politely answered, “I’m too busy.” But something caught my mental curiosity, I pursued that curiosity, and after an evening of reading, my appreciation for a well-known author deepened. Now I am excited, someday, to share Hawthorne’s Wonder Book with my children.
This world is alive with ideas and people, and there are not enough years in this mortal life to pursue the fascination this planet holds. I have a sense of wonder. I am loving to learn and earnestly hope to pass this learning love to my children. By pursuing knowledge for myself, I drink deeply of life and learning and hope to excite my children to learn.
What are you loving to learn? What are you reading? The school of life has no age limit. I hope to learn until the day I pass on to glory. Love to learn!
-Ashley
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Personal Disclosure
As the author of Ashley Qurollo Blog, all opinions are my own. Any possible applications are universal in nature, not directed at any one individual or people group. My sincere desire is to help others by sharing what I am learning. Nothing stated on this blog is ever intended to hurt others. Ashley Qurollo, owner of Ashley Qurollo Blog and Website, is not held liable in any way for any application of the ideas and thoughts stated here.
Wow this is so fascinating! I learned so much from this post. Thanks for sharing- Jenifer
Thank you for such a kind comment! Yes, looking at a screen tends to be passive, but in reading, the brain actively makes connections, thus broadening our understanding and illuminating our minds. Once I started seeing the world through eager eyes full of curiosity, my desire to learn ignited! This is what great teachers do...ignite a passion to learn in their students.
Wow, you have inspired me to read, Ashley! In this day when so many are attached to screens, we need to get back to the basics and love good books. Thank you for this inspirational read.