Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Short Story, ‘Snowflakes’

The early American author describes the beauty and brilliance of a winter storm. As we prepare for spring, we can look back on the past season.

Nathaniel Hawthorne describes the joys and beauty of a winter storm in his short story, "Snowflakes." Pexels

In his short story, “Snowflakes,” Nathaniel Hawthorne writes a beautiful tribute to  winter and all its wonders. He says that his best inspiration comes during wintertime. Despite the dreariness and fierce cold, he shows what beauty, inspiration, and joy can be found in winter, as well as the other seasons.

Hawthorne looks out his window and spies the coming snowstorm as it blows in. The first snowflakes fall, heralding the coming snow. These snowflakes portend that this storm will be “in good earnest a wintry storm.” These flakes do not melt when they eventually reach the ground, informing everyone that the snow will stick.

Even as the residents prepare for a winter storm, they also eagerly await its outcome: a beautiful, fresh whiteness. The clouds above prepare the earth’s beautiful winter mantle. Flake after flake falls, gradually covering the neighborhood with pure alabaster.

Turning from his window, Hawthorne prepares his pen and paper for writing. Though this wintery atmosphere appears gloomy, he enjoys the sizzling, crackling fire. Its bright flames inspires his writing. This warm setting dispels the darkness and washes a soft light onto every wall.

A New World

Turning to the window again, Hawthorne sees that the storm has now covered the roofs in white. The wind carries the snowflakes through the air, swirling in eddies, concealing, then revealing a distant spire. The flakes fall on small boys who wage war in the street, throwing snowballs toward their hand-built snow forts.

Again, turning his attention back inside, Hawthorne listens to the wind as it buffets the house with a wild, whistling tune. Yet, even as the whistling, howling wind heralds the storm in full force, Hawthorne takes notice of something that passes by his window, which fills him with delight.

Through this story, Hawthorne brings warmth and light to the darkest and coldest season of the year. He inspires us to embrace this season and everything it has to offer, encouraging us to journey out into the white wonderland.

Hawthorne’s story expresses a genuine wonder for the season, praising its beauty, as L.M. Montgomery does in “The Blue Castle”: “Winter was beautiful. ... Ice-grey twilights, broken by snow-squalls, when their cosy living-room, with its goblins of firelight and inscrutable cats, seemed cozier than ever. Every hour brought a new revelation and wonder.” These revelations and wonders breed a greater love for the cold season and all it holds.

People know how to prepare for a winter storm in Hawthorne's "Snowflakes." Pexels

Such a contemplation of winter’s revelations and wonders encourages us to look at the other seasons with a renewed sense of appreciation. These seasons also carry special beauty and virtues with them.

As the sun warms the earth and the white snow begins to melt, we wish winter a sweet farewell. Though it is the harshest time of the year in many places, winter is a season of inspiration and fun. Let us turn back with hopeful eyes before it disappears.

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