# The Masqueraders explained — The Blithedale Romance

> Chapter companion for The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

## What happens

Coverdale returns to Blithedale on a September morning, experiencing a mix of somberness and exhilaration. He approaches cautiously, spying on the community from the woods, and witnesses a masquerade of his friends in fantastical costumes. After being discovered, he escapes and eventually finds himself at Eliot's Pulpit, where Hollingsworth, Priscilla, and Zenobia confront him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Identity

Coverdale spies on the community from the woods, and the masquerade costumes conceal the true identities of the characters.

### Nature vs. Society

Coverdale's walk through the rural landscape contrasts with the artificiality of the masquerade, and he reflects on his connection to the soil of Blithedale.

## Character check-ins

### Miles Coverdale

Returns to Blithedale after two nights away, walking from town and observing the community from the woods.

### Zenobia

Appears as a gypsy fortune-teller in the masquerade; later confronts Coverdale at Eliot's Pulpit.

### Mr. Hollingsworth

Dressed as a Puritan elder in the masquerade; later sits at Eliot's Pulpit with Priscilla and Zenobia.

### Priscilla

Dressed as a ragamuffin in the masquerade; later sits at Hollingsworth's feet at Eliot's Pulpit.

### Silas Foster

Dressed as an Indian chief in the masquerade.

### Professor Westervelt

Dressed as the fiendish fiddler in the masquerade, playing Satanic music.

## Key lines

> It was the most delightful of all days for a walk, with a dash of invigorating ice-temper in the air, but a coolness that soon gave place to the brisk glow of exercise, while the vigor remained as elastic as before.

The day was perfect for walking, with a crisp chill that quickly warmed into a lively energy.

_Coverdale describes the invigorating weather as he sets out for Blithedale._

> I felt an invincible reluctance, nevertheless, at the idea of presenting myself before my old associates, without first ascertaining the state in which they were.

He was strongly hesitant to meet his friends without first learning what had happened in his absence.

_Coverdale's anxiety about returning to the community._

> The voice was Miles Coverdale's, said the fiendish fiddler, with a whisk of his tail and a toss of his horns. My music has brought him hither. He is always ready to dance to the Devil's tune!

The devilish fiddler (Westervelt) identifies Coverdale's laugh and claims his music lured him there.

_Westervelt's taunt during the masquerade._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxiv-the-masqueraders
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters