# How does The Blithedale Romance develop the theme of Obsession and Philanthropy?

> The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne

## Answer

The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne develops Obsession and Philanthropy across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Hollingsworth's single-minded devotion to reforming criminals is portrayed as a destructive 'overruling purpose' that dehumanizes him, ultimately ruining his heart and leading to tragedy, illustrating the peril of allowing one idea to consume the self.

Hollingsworth's single-minded devotion to his criminal reform scheme is portrayed as a consuming, dehumanizing obsession that overrides genuine human connection.

Hollingsworth's powerful influence over Zenobia and Priscilla, and Coverdale's suspicion that Hollingsworth is making proselytes, hints at an obsessive philanthropic mission.

Hollingsworth's all-consuming philanthropic purpose is portrayed as dehumanizing, turning him into a mere instrument of his own ideology.

## Evidence

- [vii-the-convalescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/vii-the-convalescent.md): Hollingsworth's single-minded devotion to his criminal reform scheme is portrayed as a consuming, dehumanizing obsession that overrides genuine human connection.
- [viii-a-modern-arcadia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/viii-a-modern-arcadia.md): Hollingsworth's powerful influence over Zenobia and Priscilla, and Coverdale's suspicion that Hollingsworth is making proselytes, hints at an obsessive philanthropic mission.
- [ix-hollingsworth-zenobia-priscilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/ix-hollingsworth-zenobia-priscilla.md): Hollingsworth's all-consuming philanthropic purpose is portrayed as dehumanizing, turning him into a mere instrument of his own ideology.
- [xi-the-wood-path](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xi-the-wood-path.md): Westervelt's mocking description of Hollingsworth's philanthropic scheme highlights the obsessive nature of reformist zeal and its potential for manipulation.
- [xii-coverdale-s-hermitage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xii-coverdale-s-hermitage.md): Hollingsworth's driving of oxen symbolizes his obsessive, single-minded pursuit of reform.
- [xv-a-crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xv-a-crisis.md): Hollingsworth's single-minded pursuit of his philanthropic goal leads him to demand total loyalty and to consider sacrificing personal ethics.
- [xviii-the-boardinghouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xviii-the-boardinghouse.md): Coverdale's obsessive preoccupation with the fates of Hollingsworth, Zenobia, and Priscilla, despite his attempt to leave them behind.
- [xix-zenobia-s-drawing-room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xix-zenobia-s-drawing-room.md): Hollingsworth's single-minded devotion to his reform idea is discussed as both noble and absurd.

## Links

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