An introduction to the man, the author, and his accomplishments. Nathaniel Hawthorne An introduction to the man, the author, and his accomplishments. 1

Biographical Information Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts, to a family that had been prominent in the area since colonial times. He died May 18, 1864 in Plymouth, New Hampshire. A rich lore of family and local history provided much of the material for Hawthorne's works. He was a descendent of John Hathorne, a judge in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Nathaniel was so ashamed of his ancestor, he legally changed the spelling of his name to separate himself from the tarnished legacy. 2

Salem, Massachusetts Salem's stories include the history of its name - which means "City of Peace" - and the seventeenth-century conflicts that occurred shortly after the name was given. Early settlers struggled to survive in Salem, and their struggles have left a mark on this city that has endured nearly four centuries. Salem, MA was where the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692 happened. It all began in the winter of 1692 when some girls fell ill and blamed members of the community for their affliction. Hundreds of innocent people were accused during the hysteria, and ultimately 19 men and women were hanged and one man was pressed to death. 3

In 1842, Hawthorne married Sophia Peabody. They had three children. From 1836 to 1844 the Boston-centered Transcendentalist movement, led by Ralph Waldo Emerson, was an important force in New England intellectual circles. The Transcendentalists believed that human existence transcended the sensory realm, and rejected formalism in favor of individual responsibility. Hawthorne's fiancée Sophia Peabody drew him into "the newness," and in 1841 Hawthorne invested $1500 in the Brook Farm Utopian Community, leaving disillusioned within a year. 4

Brook Farm (1841–1847) was an experimental farm at West Roxbury, Mass Brook Farm (1841–1847) was an experimental farm at West Roxbury, Mass., based on cooperative living. The farm was initially financed by a joint-stock company with 24 shares of stock at $500 per share. Each member was to take part in the manual labor in an attempt to make the group self-sufficient. Intellectual life was stimulating, with such members as Nathaniel Hawthorne. His later works show some Transcendentalist influence, including a belief in individual choice and consequence, and an emphasis on symbolism. 5

Published in 1850. As America's first true psychological novel, The Scarlet Letter would convey these ideals; contrasting puritan morality with passion and individualism. A review of the book by a reverend called it scandalous, saying that it was “smut” and “degraded literature”. Even so, the book was very successful. The first run of 2500 copies sold out in just 10 days. Hawthorne himself only made about $1500 dollars from the sales of the novel.

The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts The Phillips Library original correspondence by and to Hawthorne a manuscript poem written by Hawthorne at age 12 “The Spectator” a hand- copied newspaper produced in August and September 1820 by Hawthorne and his sister. original manuscripts of Hawthorne papers of Hawthorne’s contemporaries and commentators. a bust of the author papers, portraits, and photographs of family members http://www.pem.org/library/hawthorne/ 7

The Puritans A religious group which migrated from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in New England in the early 1600s The Puritans believed in a "pure" interpretation of the Bible which did not include some of the traditional practices of the Church of England. Although the Church did not officially control the State in Puritan settlements, religion and government were closely intertwined. The ministers counseled the magistrates in all affairs concerning the settlement and its citizens. The Puritans had strict rules against the theater, religious music, sensuous poetry, and frivolous dress 8

Puritan Beliefs The Puritans believed that the Bible was God's true law, and that it provided a plan for living. The established church of the day described access to God as monastic and possible only within the confines of "church authority". Puritans stripped away the traditional trappings and formalities of Christianity which had been slowly building throughout the previous 1500 years. Theirs was an attempt to "purify" the church and their own lives. 9

Puritan Beliefs Actions spoke louder than words, so actions had to be constantly controlled. Any deviations from the normal way of Puritan life met with strict disapproval and discipline. Since the church elders were also political leaders, any church infraction was also a social one. There was no margin for error. Their interpretation of scriptures was a harsh one. They emphasized a redemptive piety. They emphasized conversion and not repression. Conversion was a rejection of the "worldliness" of society and a strict adherence to Biblical principles. Repression was not encouraged in principle, it was evident in their actions. God could forgive anything, but man could forgive only by seeing a change in behavior. 10

Clothing of the 17th Century Setting of The Scarlet Letter 12

New England Homes, Factories, and Churches of the 17th Century 13