1. Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Scarlet Letter
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne

2. Themes Justice Hypocrisy Freedom Moral Choices Man v. Nature
Legality v. Morality
Individual v. Society

3. Historical Background
Puritanism
Theocracy v. Separation of Church and State
Witchcraft
Europe
England
Since 1990
Africa
India
Saudi Arabia

4. Literary Elements Romanticism Irony Foreshadowing Personification
Symbolism

5. Literary Elements Symbolism Flowers – rose, wild rose, wild flowers
Platform/pillory – frames the story – beginning and ending
Role of color – including light and shadow
Gold chain
Hand over heart
Significance of names

6. Character Development
Dynamic/static characters
Trees/forest as a character – use of light and shadow
Significant actions and insight to character
Interactions with other characters
Motivation for their behavior
How the characters change

7. Nathaniel Hawthorne Born in Salem in 1804
Related to Judge Hathorne from The Crucible
Was the most widely read 19th Century American author.
Known for development of character – secret motivations, guilt, hope, fears, human heart

8. Author notes continued
In 1848, President Taylor eliminated his job as surveyor at The Custom House. This is when he wrote the book.
The Custom House includes background of the Whig Party/political climate
Within this section the inspiration to write the Scarlet Letter is revealed.
Book published in 1850

9. Scarlet Letter notes Hawthorne and Hester Prynne…a connection?
What does the “A” represent? Does it change meaning as the novel progresses?
Structure of novel
Layered symbols
Scaffold scene 1-3, 12, 23 = all characters present
Narrator

10. Romanticism Gained strength during European industrialization
Revolt against Age of Enlightenment and scientific rationalization of nature
Emphasized intuition, imagination, feeling
In literature = emphasis on women and children, heroic isolation of the artist, a respect for nature and focus on supernatural and human psychology

11. Puritanism - History
Critical name given to those who led reformations of the Church of England, thought to be too much like the Catholic Church
Accepted the interpretations of John Calvin ( ) on the nature of man, free will and predestination, and other basic concepts.
Split into three major denominations after 1660–the Presbyterian, Congregational, and Baptist sects.

12. Puritanism - Beliefs Providence Free will and predestination
Other key concepts
Covenants – God’s promises
Covenant of grace – God—given faith
Covenant of works – reward for perfect obedience (lost)
Glorification – soul united with God
Justification – conversion
Natural depravity – sinfulness of man
Regeneration vs. Reprobation – predestined (good/evil)
Sanctification – leading the life of a saint in gratitude
Unregenerate – alienated from God
Vocation – using talents to fulfill God’s call