Essential Questions to Consider Can one have individual freedom without conforming to the laws of a group? How do hypocrisy, conformity, and vengeance affect the characters of The Scarlet Letter? How do we become moral beings? Why is the novel considered a Dark Romantic?

Some Themes in The Scarlet Letter Appearance versus Reality Breaking Society’s rules – conflict of individual versus society What is moral behavior? Consequences of one’s actions Personal growth through adversity Symbols change over time. Sins from the past influencing the present

Nathaniel Hawthorne Early Years Born in 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. His parents were devout Puritans. Great-great grandfather was a judge during The Salem Witch Trials. Mother gave birth alone while father was out at sea. Had aspirations to be a writer at an early age.

College 1821 - 1824 Attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine Classmates with: -Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin -Franklin Pierce who became the 14th President of The United States.

Young Adult Life 1824 - 1842 Burned first published work after it sold only 1000 copies. 1837: College friend, John O’Sullivan, published first short novel Twice Told Tales. Worked on and off at many office jobs. Engaged to his fiancée Sophia Peabody for 7 years before he told his mother, 6 months before they were married.

Hawthorne as a Puritan Puritans believed People are inherently sinful Society is necessary for survival The law is superior to freedom Decisions are made for the collective good Children are miniature adults and should be held to the same standard The forests is the devil’s domain Reason overrides emotion

Hawthorne as a Romantic Romantics believed People are inherently good Society corrupts individuals Freedom is superior to law Emotion is superior to reason Children are free and models for the rest of us Nature is holy

Hawthorne as a Dark Romantic Gothics believed People are inherently depraved, and often passionate or obsessive Settings ought to be dark, old, and creepy An atmosphere of mystery and suspense enhances the plot Foreshadowing and dreams play a large role Forlorn, depressed characters important Nature is dark and foreboding (overgrown vegetation)