History and Influences of Hawthorne’s Time

The World in the 1850’s Political: Battles in Kansas between proslavery and “Free-State” settlers. (Foreshadowing the American Civil War. ) The Indian Mutiny- a revolt against British rule in India Crimean war Compromise of 1850 Scientific Changes: Charles Darwin publishes The Origin of Species giving the world the theory of evolution Epidemiology begins Solar flares are discovered Industrial Changes: Production of the Bessemer process revolutionized steel production First transpacific telegraph cable laid First safety elevator installed Railroads began to replace canals First commercially successful sewing machine Britain enters a “Golden Age” of prosperity - Discovery was big at this time with both explorations and inventions. Britain enters a “Golden Age” of prosperity - Discovery was big at this time with both explorations and inventions.

Religion in the 1850’s Around 1850, America was experiencing the Second Great Awakening Around 1850, America was experiencing the Second Great Awakening The dominant form of Christianity became evangelical ProtestantismThe dominant form of Christianity became evangelical Protestantism Membership in the major Protestant churches soaredMembership in the major Protestant churches soared Evangelicalism emphasized that everyone could bring about their own salvationEvangelicalism emphasized that everyone could bring about their own salvation Shows the emerging American belief in individualism Shows the emerging American belief in individualism Transcendentalism became a popular way of thinking Transcendentalism became a popular way of thinking American transcendentalists emphasized feeling over reason and sought a strong communion with natureAmerican transcendentalists emphasized feeling over reason and sought a strong communion with nature They believed this would allow them to overcome the material world and become closer to God They believed this would allow them to overcome the material world and become closer to God Pre-Civil War, America was experiencing many new reforms, including religious ones Pre-Civil War, America was experiencing many new reforms, including religious ones Religious, utopian communities were formed in order to achieve a greater spiritual unityReligious, utopian communities were formed in order to achieve a greater spiritual unity The Shakers and the Oneida were very prominent utopian communities The Shakers and the Oneida were very prominent utopian communities Both had very different ideas, yet both emphasized religionBoth had very different ideas, yet both emphasized religion

Hawthorne’s View On... Contrary to the exacting social realism that ruled over European literature in the 1800s, Nathanial Hawthorne wrote about sin, guilt, adultery, and hypocrisy with allegories and emphasis on supernatural things. Adultery- Unlike his contemporaries, Hawthorne, though not condoning adultery, did not condemn the people who committed it. His views differed from his peers because of his Puritan background and connections with the Salem Witch Trials, and his own personal feelings about said connections. Adultery committed by women was heavily looked down upon since she was considered property of the man In 1857 men gained the right to divorce his wife if she committed adultery.

Hawthorne’s View On...(cont.) Crime Crime In order to stop crime in the 1850’s many criminals were hung In order to stop crime in the 1850’s many criminals were hung The court cases were very brief because the judges had more power and made the verdict. The court cases were very brief because the judges had more power and made the verdict. Guilt and Sin usually came from your religious back ground. At the time the Puritans were very strict about their religion and its rules that should be followed. With each sin, guilt followed. Some people confessed their sins, but some people didn’t. If a man or woman’s sinful act was discovered they would have to face the punishment Guilt and Sin usually came from your religious back ground. At the time the Puritans were very strict about their religion and its rules that should be followed. With each sin, guilt followed. Some people confessed their sins, but some people didn’t. If a man or woman’s sinful act was discovered they would have to face the punishment