Nathaniel Hawthorn, novelist and short story writer, was one of the greatest American authors of the 19th century. One of Hawthorne’s best-known works is The Scarlet Letter, which marked the beginning of his reputation as a major writer. Nathaniel’s characters were individuals who suffered from inner problems and were often consumed by their own passion. His stories rarely show a happy ending and they always leave us with the confusion that the author’s message cannot be completely understood. For example The Minister’s Black Veil and The Birthmark are two different stories but in both stories the main character suffers of inner conflicts caused by cold intellectuality, pride and isolation.