Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Themes Justice Hypocrisy Freedom Moral Choices Man v. Nature Legality v. Morality Individual v. Society

Historical Background Puritanism Theocracy v. Separation of Church and State Witchcraft 1208-1682 Europe England Since 1990 Africa India Saudi Arabia

Literary Elements Romanticism Irony Foreshadowing Personification Symbolism

Literary Elements Symbolism Flowers – rose, wild rose, wild flowers Platform/pillory – frames the story – beginning and ending Role of color – including light and shadow Gold chain Hand over heart Significance of names

Character Development Dynamic/static characters Trees/forest as a character – use of light and shadow Significant actions and insight to character Interactions with other characters Motivation for their behavior How the characters change

Nathaniel Hawthorne Born in Salem in 1804 Related to Judge Hathorne from The Crucible Was the most widely read 19th Century American author. Known for development of character – secret motivations, guilt, hope, fears, human heart

Author notes continued In 1848, President Taylor eliminated his job as surveyor at The Custom House. This is when he wrote the book. The Custom House includes background of the Whig Party/political climate 1847-1849. Within this section the inspiration to write the Scarlet Letter is revealed. Book published in 1850

Scarlet Letter notes Hawthorne and Hester Prynne…a connection? What does the “A” represent? Does it change meaning as the novel progresses? Structure of novel Layered symbols Scaffold scene 1-3, 12, 23 = all characters present Narrator

Romanticism Gained strength during European industrialization Revolt against Age of Enlightenment and scientific rationalization of nature Emphasized intuition, imagination, feeling In literature = emphasis on women and children, heroic isolation of the artist, a respect for nature and focus on supernatural and human psychology

Puritanism - History Critical name given to those who led reformations of the Church of England, thought to be too much like the Catholic Church Accepted the interpretations of John Calvin (1509-64) on the nature of man, free will and predestination, and other basic concepts. Split into three major denominations after 1660–the Presbyterian, Congregational, and Baptist sects. http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/novel_18c/defoe/puritanism.html

Puritanism - Beliefs Providence Free will and predestination Other key concepts Covenants – God’s promises Covenant of grace – God—given faith Covenant of works – reward for perfect obedience (lost) Glorification – soul united with God Justification – conversion Natural depravity – sinfulness of man Regeneration vs. Reprobation – predestined (good/evil) Sanctification – leading the life of a saint in gratitude Unregenerate – alienated from God Vocation – using talents to fulfill God’s call http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/novel_18c/defoe/puritanism.html