DAVID SWAN BY NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE THEME We can only be partially acquainted with the events which actually influence

e our lives and our final destiny There are innumerable other events which do not leave any impression on us It is remarkable how unexpected things thrust themselves across our path, but still there is regularity in human life This is because sleeping or waking we do not sense the strange things that almost happen If we did know about these incidents, then our contentedness would be disturbed by feelings of hope, fear, joy and disappointment and we would not know any peace. Relevance of Title The story of incidents that take place while David Swan lies sleeping and almost change his destiny illustrates the theme Setting & Time Around noon on a summers day, by a little group of trees near a spring on the high road from New Hampshire to Boston Characters David Swan, a young man who sets of the chain of events that take place while he is asleep and unaware The old rich couple who represent Wealth The young girl who represents Love The two thieves who represent Death PLOT SUMMARY The story of David Swan explains the theme and illustrates it with the examples given by the writer David Swan, a young man of twenty, was journeying to Boston to take up employment with his uncle, a grocer Feeling tired he decided to rest and wait for the stage coach He fell asleep by a little group of trees near a spring on the high road from New Hampshire to Boston As he slept numerous people passed him by, on foot, on horseback and in all sorts of vehicles some glanced at him without thinking about him; some laughed to see him sleeping so soundly; and some made comments based on their assumptions about him the middle-aged widow, the preacher An old rich couple (Wealth) stopped near David to repair their carriage on seeing David they were reminded of their dead son and wanted to adopt him However, they went away without disturbing him why? A young girl (Love) stopped near David to tidy her dress on seeing David she was embarrassed, yet attracted towards him However, she went away without waking him why? Two thieves (Death) stopped near David to play a game of cards on seeing David they wanted to rob him, and even kill him if necessary However, they went away without disturbing him why? Conclusion David did not experience, either partially or fully, any interaction with the old couple, the young girl or the two thieves. So when he woke up he went on his way untroubled by any feelings of hope, disappointment, fear or joy. PC/TSRS-DLF/ENG-ICSE/2007 Page 1 of 2

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