The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne

About the Author Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne Born in Salem, Massachusetts and is the descendent of a prominent Puritan family Born in Salem, Massachusetts and is the descendent of a prominent Puritan family Hawthorne’s Father, Judge Hawthorne, played a key role in the Salem witch trials. Hawthorne’s Father, Judge Hawthorne, played a key role in the Salem witch trials. Hawthorne did not agree with the intolerant Puritan society, so he wrote “The Scarlet Letter” to point out the flaws. Hawthorne did not agree with the intolerant Puritan society, so he wrote “The Scarlet Letter” to point out the flaws.

Puritan Beliefs High education value- necessary to be able to read the Bible High education value- necessary to be able to read the Bible Wives and children were expected to obey the fathers Wives and children were expected to obey the fathers Kept things simple so that they could concentrate on God Kept things simple so that they could concentrate on God Believed that God rewarded the good and punishes the bad. Believed that God rewarded the good and punishes the bad.

Theocracy Greek Word Greek Word Theo= God Theo= God Cratos= Rule Cratos= Rule A government where laws are based on religious laws A government where laws are based on religious laws Leaders in a theocracy are most likely important religious leaders Leaders in a theocracy are most likely important religious leaders Modern Example: Afghanistan pre Modern Example: Afghanistan pre The Taliban controlled religious & civil laws The Taliban controlled religious & civil laws

Culture Notes Puritan Punishments were public! Puritan Punishments were public! No aspect of life was truly private No aspect of life was truly private If you sinned, you were punished publicly. If you sinned, you were punished publicly. Living a moral life was the way to please God. Living a moral life was the way to please God.

Scarlet Letter- The Basics First Published: In 1850 First Published: In 1850 Major Thematic Topics: Major Thematic Topics: Puritan societyPuritan society SinSin GuiltGuilt Emotions vs logicEmotions vs logic Nature of evilNature of evil

Setting of the novel Set in Boston, Massachusetts Set in Boston, Massachusetts Puritan Village/ Theocratic society Puritan Village/ Theocratic society Story Starts in June 1642, in the Puritan town of Boston — story continues over several years.

Key Characters Hester Prynne Hester Prynne Husband is believed to be dead. Husband is believed to be dead. Daughter is Pearl. Daughter is Pearl.

Key Characters Roger Chillingworth Roger Chillingworth Arrives in town at beginning of story Arrives in town at beginning of story Mysterious older doctor Mysterious older doctor Begins treating Rev. Dimmesdale Begins treating Rev. Dimmesdale He may have a different motive than to help Dimmesdale! He may have a different motive than to help Dimmesdale!

Key Characters Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale Town’s minister. Town’s minister. Young and well-liked. Young and well-liked. Failing health is continuously holding his hands to his chest and is gaunt and tired most days. Failing health is continuously holding his hands to his chest and is gaunt and tired most days. Has begun acting strangely for unknown reasons... Has begun acting strangely for unknown reasons...

Key Characters Pearl Pearl Hester’s daughter Hester’s daughter A wild child A wild child Doesn’t act like a normal child Doesn’t act like a normal child Doesn’t go to school or church Doesn’t go to school or church Dresses in fancy clothes Dresses in fancy clothes

Themes & Symbols As you begin reading keep track of some of the following themes and symbols: As you begin reading keep track of some of the following themes and symbols: Cemetery Cemetery Prison Prison Rosebush Rosebush Flowers Flowers Alienation- the individual vs. society Alienation- the individual vs. society Guilt vs innocence Guilt vs innocence Pride- as evil? Spiritual? Pride- as evil? Spiritual? Fate vs. Free Will Fate vs. Free Will Hypocrisy vs. integrity Hypocrisy vs. integrity

Modern Connections “Easy A”- (2010) “Easy A”- (2010) Loosely based on this book. Easy A centers on a high school girl who ‘ruins’ her reputations by involving herself with her male classmates, is publicly shamed by her peers. Loosely based on this book. Easy A centers on a high school girl who ‘ruins’ her reputations by involving herself with her male classmates, is publicly shamed by her peers. They are reading The Scarlet Letter in her class during this movie! They are reading The Scarlet Letter in her class during this movie!