1. The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne

2. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) I. Family A. Father died of yellow fever when Nate was 4 yrs old B. Moved in with Mrs. Hawthorne’s relatives C. His great grandfather was a judge during the Salem witch trials

3. II. Schooling A. Young 1. Foot injury prevented schooling – read Shakespeare and Spenser 2. When returned to school, ran wild

4. Schooling (cont.) B. College 1. 1821 – Bowdin College a. Longfellow b. Franklin Pierce (14 th president) 2. Not outstanding student, moved back with mother

5. Hawthorne (cont) III. 12 year isolation A. Practiced the skill of writing B. Not financially rewarding C. Ancestor a judge during Salem witch trials, shamed, changes spelling of name

6. IV. Life as a Writer A. Couldn’t find anyone to support his work B. Sophia Peabody – married – needed to support before 1. Job at Custom House – measured salt and coal 2. 1842 married – left for Concord C. Never received great $ for his works

7. Custom House - Intro Why? Belongs more to the author than the book Why? Belongs more to the author than the book Sets the frame for his dark tale of the Puritan past – Romantic element Sets the frame for his dark tale of the Puritan past – Romantic element

8. 3 categories of info. 1. Record of his employment at the Custom House 1. Record of his employment at the Custom House 2. Problems of artist in public life 2. Problems of artist in public life 3. the finding of Surveyor Pue’s “package” 3. the finding of Surveyor Pue’s “package” More to come about this Surveyor and this package More to come about this Surveyor and this package