1. Read the “Background” information on P. 467 of your text
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Read the “Background” information on P. 467 of your text

2. About the Author July 4th 1804-1864 Wrote about his Inherited Guilt
Born in Salem, Massachusetts and is the descendent of a prominent Puritan family
Judge Hathorne- Ancestor played key role in the Salem witch trials
Appointed Surveyor of the Salem Custom House, which is what the first part of The Scarlet Letter is based off of
Found a piece of cloth with the Letter “A” on it. Became his main symbol to represent the puritan lifestyle
Lost his job in 1848
Wife Sophia encouraged him to write his novel based off of his experiences there.

3. The Custom House Acts as a Frame Story
Ex. “How I Met Your Mother”, “The Princess Bride”
Found a piece of cloth with the Letter “A” on it. Became his main symbol to represent the puritan lifestyle
Also claims to have found a letter BY Hester Prynne and uses the novel to relate her experiences
**The novel is not based on historical fact**
What credibility does Hawthorne gain by writing his novel with the historical background of The Custom House?

4. The Puritans
Puritanism- the belief that the church of England had too much influence from the Catholic church
“The godly”
Strict code- people were expected to act modestly and were judged upon
Puritan leaders did not tolerate religious beliefs different from their own
No aspect of life is truly private
If you sinned- you were punished publicly.

5. Predestination
Man is innately sinful; original sin means that we are incapable of any depravity
Only those who are chosen by God (the elect) are saved; salvation is not based on your beliefs or good works
The chosen will follow the path of righteousness
If you live a godly life, it was evidence that you had been “chosen” by God.
However... Nobody knows who will or will not be saved

6. As a result... Puritans were always looking for specific signs
They scrutinized daily events
Felt that God was involved in every daily aspect- no matter how small or insignificant
Everything has a reason

7. Puritan Beliefs
High education value- necessary to be able to read the Bible
Wives and children obeyed the husband/ father
Kept things simple so that they could concentrate on God
No excessive religious rituals or adornments
Constant struggle between the forces of God and of Satan
God rewards the good and punishes the bad.

8. Theocracy
Greek Word
Theo= God
Cratos= Rule
A government where laws are based on religious laws
Leaders in a theocracy are most likely important religious leaders
Modern Example: Afghanistan pre- 2001
The Taliban controlled religious & civil laws

9. Setting of the novel Boston, MA 1960s
Puritan Village/ Theocratic society
Puritans wanted to return the Christian church to a “pure” state.
No gambling, drunkenness or adultery.
Crime against the church (or God) was a punishable offense
Seen as the equivalent of a crime against another person or against “the state”

10. Key Characters Hester Prynne Husband is believed to be dead.
Brought her to Boston but did not arrive himself.
She has committed adultery.
Sentenced to wear a red “A” on her chest.
Daughter is Pearl.
No one knows who the father is.

11. Key Characters Roger Chillingworth Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale
Mysterious doctor.
Arrives in town at beginning of story
Begins treating Rev. Dimmesdale
Revealed early on that he is Hester’s husband but is keeping it a secret
Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale
Town’s minister.
Young and well-liked.
Failing health.
Has begun acting strangely for unknown reasons . . .

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

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

14. Modern Connection “Easy A”- (2010)
“After a little white lie about losing her virginity gets out, a clean cut high school girl sees her life paralleling Hester Prynne's in "The Scarlet Letter," which she is currently studying in school - until she decides to use the rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing.”- IMDB