1. The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

2. Introduction Published in 1850 Nathaniel Hawthorne – changed his name because he was ashamed of his ancestor – Judge Hathorne – who was a judge at the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. (Guilt = poss. reason for writing the novel) Main Character: Hester Prynne

3. The Custom-House Nathaniel Hawthorne – worked for customs on first floor – one day, got bored, went exploring on 2 nd floor. In dusty corner, saw something gleaming in red. It was a letter A made out of red cloth. Wrapped in it was parchment – the outline written by Jonathan Pue of Hester’s story. Plot Device – this introduction is a trick that needs your suspension of disbelief to work.

4. The Custom-House (cont.) Pue – tells Hawthorne to do justice to the story of Hester Prynne. -- first instance of the supernatural motif. -- a recurring image, or pattern.

5. Themes Courage Perseverance Equality

6. Conflicts Man vs. Man Man vs. Society Man vs. Himself

7. Chpt. I – The Prison-Door Boston, 1660s Jail, Cemetery – first things built in “New World.” -- implies that …

8. Boston, 1660s

9. Chpt. I – The Prison-Door (cont.) Imagery – appeals to 5 senses Evokes emotion in reader: fear, sadness, horror… Jail – described by the narr. as “the black flower of civilized society” (39). -- “black” implies… -- combined w/ flower, implies… (Random woman in prison.)

10. The Prison-Door (cont.) Symbol- rose bush Outside prison door, only element of color in chpt., so it implies…. Ann Hutchinson – Hester is compared to her, so…

11. Coming Attractions