Nathaniel Hawthorne A Balanced Approach to Transcendentalism Introduction to The Scarlet Letter AP English Language and Composition

The Life of Hawthorne Hawthorne was born on July 4th, 1804 in Salem, Mass. Hawthorne was born on July 4th, 1804 in Salem, Mass. 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 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 Hawthorne Hawthorne returned to Salem where he met Sophia Peabody. 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 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 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 Hawthorne Suffering these losses, Hawthorne left Salem, which he called "that abominable city," saying that he now had no reason to remain. Suffering these losses, Hawthorne left Salem, which he called "that abominable city," saying that he now had no reason to remain. He would never again return. He would never again return.

The Life of 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 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 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 Hawthorne In 1830, however, he published "The Hollow of the Three Hills," under the name of Nathaniel Hathorne. In 1830, however, he published "The Hollow of the Three Hills," under the name of Nathaniel Hathorne. After this date his name appears as Nathaniel Hawthorne. After this date his name appears as Nathaniel Hawthorne.

The Life of Hawthorne Other Published works: Twice-Told Tales, The House of the Seven Gables, The Mable Faun, Our Old Home, and children’s books A Wonder Book, and Tanglewood Tales. Twice-Told Tales, The House of the Seven Gables, The Mable Faun, Our Old Home, and children’s books A Wonder Book, and Tanglewood Tales.

The Life of 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.

Influences upon Hawthorne’s Work Marriage Sophia desired to paint, write, and pursue a profession Sophia desired to paint, write, and pursue a profession She was limited by social constraints and motherhood She was limited by social constraints and motherhood

Influences upon Hawthorne’s Work Female characters are often portrayed as sympathetic Female characters are often portrayed as sympathetic Idea of “Female Purity” Idea of “Female Purity” Influence of Puritan heritage Influence of Puritan heritage

Influences upon Hawthorne’s Work Puritan New England Many works are set in New England Many works are set in New England Puritan belief in an “active evil” (Devil) Puritan belief in an “active evil” (Devil) Salem communities are often viewed as hypocritical – Salem Witch Trials Salem communities are often viewed as hypocritical – Salem Witch Trials

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 the idealistic Romantic Open-ended endings and unanswered questions – the open- ended possibilities of the idealistic Romantic

Hawthorne’s Views of 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 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 Views of Transcendentalism Hawthorne’s balanced approach placed him in opposition to other Transcendentalists – Emerson, Thoreau, and Longfellow. Hawthorne’s balanced approach placed him in opposition to other Transcendentalists – Emerson, Thoreau, and Longfellow.

Clash with Transcendentalism Hawthorne saw potential problems with Emerson’s idea of self-reliance. Hawthorne saw potential problems with Emerson’s idea of self-reliance. Self-reliance can lead to excessive pride. Self-reliance can lead to excessive pride. Hawthorne believed in determinism, or natural order. Hawthorne believed in determinism, or natural order.

Clash with Transcendentalism Transcendentalists were overwhelmingly abolitionists – Hawthorne wasn’t entirely sure of his position. Transcendentalists were overwhelmingly abolitionists – Hawthorne wasn’t entirely sure of his position. He questioned the motives and principles of the Northern authorities. He questioned the motives and principles of the Northern authorities.

Clash with Transcendentalism This point of contention was publicized in a series of articles by Hawthorne published in the journal The Atlantic, which was founded by Emerson and Longfellow. This point of contention was publicized in a series of articles by Hawthorne published in the journal The Atlantic, which was founded by Emerson and Longfellow.

Clash with Transcendentalism The editorial staff of The Atlantic deleted large portions of Hawthorne’s articles which contained ideas that disagreed with the abolitionist beliefs of the founders of the journal. The editorial staff of The Atlantic deleted large portions of Hawthorne’s articles which contained ideas that disagreed with the abolitionist beliefs of the founders of the journal.

Clash with Transcendentalism Hawthorne also added sketches throughout his edited published articles, written from the perspective of a “dimwitted editor” to show the hypocritical nature of his transcendentalist editors. Hawthorne also added sketches throughout his edited published articles, written from the perspective of a “dimwitted editor” to show the hypocritical nature of his transcendentalist editors.

Clash with Transcendentalism Hawthorne’s Response: "What a terrible thing it is to try to let off a little bit of truth into this miserable humbug of a world!" "What a terrible thing it is to try to let off a little bit of truth into this miserable humbug of a world!"

European Romance vs. The American Novel Hawthorne struggled against the European model of the Romance. Hawthorne struggled against the European model of the Romance. Through The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne developed the first truly American Novel. Through The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne developed the first truly American Novel.

The European Romance The European Romance romanticized a rich past and historic culture. The European Romance romanticized a rich past and historic culture. It involved archetypal adventures. It involved archetypal adventures. It was escapist: a means of escaping the here and now. It was escapist: a means of escaping the here and now.

The European Romance Classical Romance Characteristics: Lovers who remain true to each other, while the woman's chastity is preserved Lovers who remain true to each other, while the woman's chastity is preserved An intricate plot, including stories within stories An intricate plot, including stories within stories Exciting and unexpected chance events Exciting and unexpected chance events

The European Romance Classical Romance Characteristics: Travel to faraway settings Travel to faraway settings Hidden and mistaken identity Hidden and mistaken identity Written in an elaborate and elegant style Written in an elaborate and elegant style

European Romance vs. The American Novel America, however, had no rich culture or ancient history to draw from. America, however, had no rich culture or ancient history to draw from. It was primarily concerned with the here and now, and how to perfect it. It was primarily concerned with the here and now, and how to perfect it.

European Romance vs. The American Novel While maintaining the elements of the European Romance, Hawthorne shifted the American Novel’s focus to the present. While maintaining the elements of the European Romance, Hawthorne shifted the American Novel’s focus to the present.

The American Novel Where the Romance incorporated the Gothic elements of crime, religion, ghosts, etc. as the focus of the story, Hawthorne used these elements as a means to support his story. Where the Romance incorporated the Gothic elements of crime, religion, ghosts, etc. as the focus of the story, Hawthorne used these elements as a means to support his story.