1804—1864 Born in Salem, MA Born “Hathorne” but changed his name to distance himself from his relatives and ancestors
William Hathorne 1620s judge who prosecuted and terrorized Quakers John Hathorne 1690s judge who sentenced “witches” to death in Salem during the famous witch trials
Very shy man Graduated from Bowdoin College in 1825 Spent years collecting stories and historical information related to Puritanism Worked as an inspector in the Boston Customs House
Claims to have found evidence and papers concerning Hester Prynne and an actual scarlet letter Touched the letter to his breast and felt “burning embers…as if the letter were not of red cloth, but red hot iron. No factual basis for the “documents” and “letter” but this was a typical introduction for romances at the time
Romantic Deals with the strange and mysterious Uses symbolic imagination Turns to the past for subject matter Focuses on the problem of evil and the nature of sin Examines guilt Uses the effect of on sin on four main characters Hester, Pearl, Dimmesdale and Chillingsworth
What is sin? Is Hester’s sin a crime against civil law? Is Hester’s sin a crime against nature’s law? Wild rosebush growing beside the prison door Does nature sympathize with those whom society condemned? Unity of Place Three scaffold scenes Four main characters are present Change is demonstrated in each character
Very formal language—often difficult for modern readers to decode Using imagery to create mood Plants, light, darkness, shadow, etc Narration mixed with dramatic scenes
Historical references to give his story credence Wanted to restore the church to its “pure” state Did not actually seek religious freedom, just wanted a place to worship as they chose Very intolerant of other religious beliefs— persecuted and banished individuals whose beliefs did not match theirs
Role of ministers and magistrates (law officials) to enforce the laws of God Church very linked to state Believed they were ordained by God to establish a community under His laws All members of the community judged the faith and works of every other member
Insisted on a lifestyle of self-discipline and hard work following the will of God Completely intolerant of sin Any sin committed in the community would incur God’s wrath Looked for sins so they could be publically addressed and the community could express their scorn
Lived very simple, hardworking lives— idleness was an invitation to sin “Idle hands are the devil’s playthings. Dressed in brown, gray or black –”somber colors” Avoided worldly pleasures Transferred children so they weren’t spoiled by natural parents
Calvinists Believed humans were too sinful to earn salvation by performing good works or avoiding sin People could only go to heaven through God’s grace Pre-destination—those who were saved had already been chosen
One knew whether one was a member of “God’s elect” by being able to avoid sin Dimmesdale and Hester are concerned that they may be damned—not because of their sin itself—but because they sinned it indicated that they were already damned The Scarlet Letter explores whether Hester and Dimmesdale are actually damned or can be redeemed
Set in Puritan Salem The story of Hester Prynne who gives birth after committing adultery Refuses to name the father
Hester is required to wear a scarlet letter “A” on her breast as a mark of her shame Struggles to build a new life of repentance and dignity while raising her child and being shunned by her community
Hester Prynne Pearl Roger Chillingsworth Reverend Dimsdale Governor Bellingham Mistress Hibbins Reverend John Wilson Narrator
Sin, knowledge and the human condition The nature of evil Identity and Society
The Scarlet Letter Pearl The meteor The prison The scaffold Nature Sunlight Color Rosebush
Motif: an idea or theme that is carried and repeated throughout an entire literary work Civilization v Wilderness Night v Day Naming