Fire Worship (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")

"Fire Worship (From 'Mosses from an Old Manse')" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a short story published in 1843. Part of Hawthorne's collection *Mosses from an Old Manse*, this tale exemplifies his allegorical style and exploration of human nature's darker aspects. Like other stories in the collection, it reflects what contemporary critics described as Hawthorne's immersion in tragedy, offering moments of brightness within an overall dusky atmosphere. The work showcases the complex symbolism that later left even Hawthorne himself uncertain of his original intentions.

Fire Worship (From "Mosses from an Old Manse"), by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #9223.