APEN 11 Warm-UpHawthorne Writing Prompt The Scarlet Letter

Warm-Up What symbols exist within The Scarlet Letter? What does each represent? How do you know?

The Life of Nathaniel Hawthorne Hawthorne was born on July 4th, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts Hawthorne was born on July 4th, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts Father: Nathaniel Hathorne Sr. was a sea captain. Father: Nathaniel Hathorne Sr. was a sea captain. Mother: Elizabeth Clarke Manning was a descendent of blacksmiths Mother: Elizabeth Clarke Manning was a descendent of blacksmiths

The Life of Nathaniel Hawthorne Hawthorne attended Bowdoin College Hawthorne attended Bowdoin College After his graduation he turned to writing. After his graduation he turned to writing. He wrote several successful short stories which were collected in Twice- Told Tales (1837). He wrote several successful short stories which were collected in Twice- Told Tales (1837).

The Life of Nathaniel Hawthorne Following university, Hawthorne returned to Salem where he met Sophia Peabody. Following university, Hawthorne returned to Salem where he met Sophia Peabody. After a five year engagement, they were married in After a five year engagement, they were married in 1842.

The Life of Nathaniel Hawthorne Unable to support his new family by writing, in 1846 Hawthorne accepted a political appointment to the Salem Custom House as Surveyor of the Port. Unable to support his new family by writing, in 1846 Hawthorne accepted a political appointment to the Salem Custom House as Surveyor of the Port.

The Life of Nathaniel Hawthorne This bureaucratic position stunted Hawthorne's creativity. This bureaucratic position stunted Hawthorne's creativity. A change in administration, however, led to his termination in A change in administration, however, led to his termination in Hawthorne's mother died at the same time. Hawthorne's mother died at the same time.

The Life of Nathaniel Hawthorne Some critics have suggested that the loss of both his position and mother provided the creative impetus to write The Scarlet Letter (1850). Some critics have suggested that the loss of both his position and mother provided the creative impetus to write The Scarlet Letter (1850).

The Life of Nathaniel Hawthorne Hawthorne's connection to Salem haunted him. Hawthorne's connection to Salem haunted him. His great- grandfather John Hathorne was the chief-interrogator of the "Salem Witches." His great- grandfather John Hathorne was the chief-interrogator of the "Salem Witches."

The Life of Nathaniel Hawthorne The story that Hawthorne added the "w" to his name to distance himself from his Hathorne ancestors has no clear evidence to support it. The story that Hawthorne added the "w" to his name to distance himself from his Hathorne ancestors has no clear evidence to support it.

The Life of Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne died on May 18, 1864 in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Nathaniel Hawthorne died on May 18, 1864 in Plymouth, New Hampshire. He is credited with writing the first truly American novel: The Scarlet Letter. He is credited with writing the first truly American novel: The Scarlet Letter.

Literary Themes Alienation – a character is isolated due to self-cause or societal-cause Alienation – a character is isolated due to self-cause or societal-cause Guilt vs. Innocence – a character's sense of guilt caused by Puritanical values/heritage Guilt vs. Innocence – a character's sense of guilt caused by Puritanical values/heritage

Literary Themes Individual vs. Society Individual vs. Society Self-reliance vs. Accommodation Self-reliance vs. Accommodation Hypocrisy vs. Integrity Hypocrisy vs. Integrity Fate vs. Free Will Fate vs. Free Will Unconventional Gender Roles Unconventional Gender Roles Impossibility of Human Perfection Impossibility of Human Perfection

Imagery Hawthorne makes use of the following patterns of images: Hawthorne makes use of the following patterns of images: Light vs. Dark Light vs. Dark Natural vs. Unnatural Natural vs. Unnatural Sunshine vs. Firelight or Moonlight and Reflections Sunshine vs. Firelight or Moonlight and Reflections

Romantic/Gothic Motifs Fantasies Fantasies Dreams Dreams Reveries Reveries Open-ended endings and unanswered questions – the open- ended possibilities of idealistic romance Open-ended endings and unanswered questions – the open- ended possibilities of idealistic romance

Hawthorne's Views of Romanticism and Transcendentalism Hawthorne did not conform to the Romantic focus on the emotions and abandonment of reason. Hawthorne did not conform to the Romantic focus on the emotions and abandonment of reason. Hawthorne strove to create a balance between "head and heart." Hawthorne strove to create a balance between "head and heart."

Hawthorne's Views of Romanticism and Transcendentalism Hawthorne believed that human fulfillment was achieved through a balance between mind, reason, heart, spirit, will, and imagination. Hawthorne believed that human fulfillment was achieved through a balance between mind, reason, heart, spirit, will, and imagination. Hawthorne's balanced approach placed him in opposition to Transcendentalists like Emerson, Thoreau, and Longfellow. Hawthorne's balanced approach placed him in opposition to Transcendentalists like Emerson, Thoreau, and Longfellow.

The American Novel Hawthorne's novel was not a means of escape, but rather a means to examine society and life. Hawthorne's novel was not a means of escape, but rather a means to examine society and life. His novel invited criticism of the worlds he reflected – Puritanism. His novel invited criticism of the worlds he reflected – Puritanism.

Hawthorne's Novel Hawthorne's novel found relevance as more than mere entertainment, but as something more prophetic and integral to the American identity.

The Puritans 1565 – Spanish settlers land in St. Augustine, FL 1565 – Spanish settlers land in St. Augustine, FL 1607 – Captain John Smith and others land at Jamestown and establish the first English settlement in America 1607 – Captain John Smith and others land at Jamestown and establish the first English settlement in America 1638 – Anne Hutchinson is banished from New England for her beliefs – Anne Hutchinson is banished from New England for her beliefs – The events of The Scarlet Letter take place 1650 – The events of The Scarlet Letter take place 1773 – The Boston Tea Party is staged to protest British taxes on the colonists 1773 – The Boston Tea Party is staged to protest British taxes on the colonists 1776 – Colonists declare their independence from Britain 1776 – Colonists declare their independence from Britain 1850 – The Scarlet Letter 1850 – The Scarlet Letter

The Custom House Why is this included in the text? What purpose does it fulfill?

Writing Prompt “Why dost thou smile so at me?” inquired Hester, troubled at the expression of his eyes. “Art thou like the Black Man that haunts the forest round about me? Hast though enticed me into a bond that will prove the ruin of my soul?” “Not thy soul,” he answered, with another smile. “No, not thine!” In your own words, explain this exchange between Hester and Roger Chillingworth. What bond is she discussing and whose soul is in danger? Your answer should prove a thorough reading of the text!

The Scarlet Letter – Part I “He was small in stature, with a furrowed visage which, as yet, could hardly be termed aged. There was a remarkable intelligence in his features, as of a person who had so cultivated his mental part that it could not fail to mould the physical to itself…one of this man’s shoulders rose higher than the other.”

The Scarlet Letter – Part I How do you feel about what happens to Hester Prynne in the beginning? How do you feel about what happens to Hester Prynne in the beginning? What is her punishment? What do you think the magistrates are hoping to accomplish with this punishment? What is her punishment? What do you think the magistrates are hoping to accomplish with this punishment?

“On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A.”

SYMBOLISM Hester’s and Pearl’s Clothing “Her own dress was of the coarsest materials and the most sombre hue; with only that one ornament—the scarlet letter—which it was her doom to wear.” “The child’s attire, on the other hand, was distinguished by a fanciful, or, we might rather say, a fantastic ingenuity, which served, indeed, to heighten the airy charm that early began to develop itself in the little girl…”

SYMBOLISM PEARL (the name) “Her Pearl!—For so had Hester called her; not as a name expressive of her aspect, which had nothing of the calm, white, unimpassioned lustre that would be indicated by the comparison. But she named the infant “Pearl,” as being of great price—purchased with all she had—her mother’s only treasure!”

SYMBOLISM The A! “It was so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore; and which was of a splendor in accordance with the taste of the age, but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony.” “Not a stitch in that embroidered letter, but she has felt it in her heart.”

SYMBOLISM The Prison Gate and the Rose “But on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rosebush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate gems…This rosebush…has been kept alive in history; but whether it had merely survived out of the stern old wilderness…It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow.”

Homework Scarlet Letter Journals are due 11/6