Did Hawthorne believe that humans were inherently evil?
Yes
No
He never stated a personal belief
It varied
Answer
Yes, Nathaniel Hawthorne believed that humans are inherently evil because of his exploration of sin, guilt, and moral decay in his writings, famously seen in The Scarlet Letter. He believed that all people are capable of both good and evil and that the struggle between these forces is a fundamental part of human nature.
Unraveling the Mysteries of Nathaniel Hawthorne: A Quiz on the Life and Works of an American Literary Mastermind