Learning Objectives
- Understand the conclusion of the Great Stone Face legend
- Analyse why Ernest himself becomes the fulfilment of the prophecy
- Explore the role of a poet and the relationship between words and deeds
- Understand the message that greatness comes from a life lived with goodness
Key Concepts
About the Story
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne (continuation of Part I).
Theme: True greatness is found in a person who not only speaks noble thoughts but lives them in daily life. Actions are more important than words. Ernest's lifelong devotion to goodness makes him the living embodiment of the Great Stone Face.
Ernest as an Old Man
Ernest has grown old, spending his entire life in the valley. He has become a wise, kind, and respected figure in the community. Though he is a simple farmer with no wealth, military glory, or political power, people come from far and wide to hear his thoughts. His words are filled with wisdom because they come from a lifetime of honest, thoughtful living.
The Poet
A famous poet, born in the valley, writes beautiful and noble verses that move people deeply. His poems describe the same noble qualities that Ernest has always admired in the Great Stone Face. Ernest reads the poet's works and is deeply moved, believing the poet might be the one who fulfils the prophecy. When the poet visits the valley, Ernest welcomes him with great hope.
The Poet's Confession
The poet sees that his own life does not match his noble words. He has written about greatness but has not always lived up to his own ideals. The poet honestly admits that his poems are better than his life — his words are noble but his actions are sometimes ordinary. He tells Ernest that he is not worthy of being compared to the Great Stone Face.
The Fulfilment of the Prophecy
As Ernest speaks to the gathered crowd in the evening, sharing his simple but profound thoughts, the poet looks at Ernest's face in the golden light of the setting sun and compares it to the Great Stone Face on the mountain. He suddenly realises and proclaims that Ernest himself is the likeness of the Great Stone Face. Ernest's entire life of goodness, kindness, humility, and wisdom has moulded his face and character into the image of the stone face.
Key Message
The story teaches that true nobility does not come from wealth, military power, political success, or even beautiful words alone. It comes from living a good and honest life. Ernest is the fulfilment of the prophecy because he spent his entire life trying to embody the noble qualities he saw in the Great Stone Face. His deeds, not just his thoughts, made him great.
Ernest vs. The Poet
The contrast between Ernest and the poet is central to the story. The poet writes about noble ideals but does not always live by them. Ernest does not write or speak great words, but he lives them every day. This shows that actions speak louder than words, and a life lived with integrity is the highest form of greatness.
Important Terms
- Prophecy: A prediction that someone from the valley would embody the Great Stone Face
- Embodiment: A living representation of an idea or quality
- Integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles
- Humility: The quality of being modest and not thinking of oneself as better than others
- Poet: A person who writes poems; in this story, one who writes about noble ideals
- Noble: Having high moral qualities; worthy of admiration
Quick Revision
- Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne (Part II of the Great Stone Face)
- Ernest has grown old; he is wise, humble, and deeply respected
- A famous poet seems to match the prophecy, but admits his life does not match his words
- The poet recognises that Ernest himself is the image of the Great Stone Face
- Ernest's lifelong goodness shaped his character to match the noble stone face
- Key message: actions and lived character matter more than words, wealth, or fame