1. The Scarlet Letter
Introduciton

2. The Scarlet Letter Written by Nathaniel Hawthorne (b. 1804)
Novel was written around 1850
The novel is set in Boston, Mass. About 1690

3. (setting of The Scarlet Letter)
Boston
(setting of The Scarlet Letter)
Plymouth
(where Mayflower landed in 1620/setting for Bradford’s memoir Of Plymouth Plantation)

4. Setting Setting is CRITICAL to the PLOT of the novel
1690’s Boston was a Puritan Village
Like other Puritan settlements in New England, the local and colonial governments were theocracies

5. Theocracy Greek origin
Theo : God
Cratos : Rule
Theocracy: Government where the civil laws are based (in whole or in part) on religious laws; civil leaders in theocracies are probably also important religious leaders
Example of theocracy: In Saudi Arabia, places are forbidden to sell alcohol or meat, and women cannot drive or vote because Islam forbids it.

6. Puritanism Began in England in the mid-1500’s A sect of Calvinists
Calvinism names after Swiss theologian John Calvin
Calvinism:
Predetermination/predestination
No religious authority BUT Scripture

7. Puritans
Puritans quickly fell out of favor in England, where the king was the head of the Church of England
They recognized neither the king’s secular or religious authority, and so quickly became enemies of civil and religious leaders
In 1600’s, Puritans left England for Holland, which even in the 17th Century was a very liberal society– The Puritans disliked the gov. permissiveness and tolerance

8. Puritans in america 1620: Puritans left Holland for the New World
Established Plymouth Plantation in the “savage wilderness” of New England
Retained those aspects of European society they liked; created new laws, policies, etc. to replace the elements of society they did not like
Scripture was central to religion and government, scholarship (reserved for men only) was a highly valued right

9. Puritans in America Puritans emphasis on
Self-reliance
Independence
Individual achievement
Individual responsibility
Personal accountability
Power through ability (education)
All of which were discouraged in the Old World become the basis of “American Rugged Individualism”

10. Crime & punishment
Puritan Boston c was still a theocratic society. A crime against church (God) was the equivalent to a crime against another person or the State
Offense could land you in the pillory or stocks. (Entire purpose was public display and public humiliation)
Stocks were built on a scaffold in the center of village so townspeople could mock offender (throw rotten vegetables or stones)

11. Crime & punishment
After serving jail and pillory sentence, a convicted criminal would often be required to wear some outward sign of his/her offense
The “scarlet letter” of the novel’s title refers to the scarlet letter “A” that Hester is made to wear on her clothing as punishment for her crime of Adultery

12. The Custom house
Author Nathaniel Hawthorne claims to have found a letter written by Hester Prynne and an embroidered scarlet “A.” The letter tells of Hester’s experience, which Hawthorne relates in the novel
The novel is NOT based in historical fact, but Hawthorne uses “The Custom House” to give his story credibility
Hawthorne’s family came from Boston and he was a descendent of a judge in the Salem Witch Trials.

13. American romantics
Stems from break from the lack of fantastical and creative artistry of the Puritans
Reflects the still innocent, pre-Civil War United States
Characteristics of Romantic work:
Focus on love of nature
Focus on the individual
Focus on truth as a universal concept
Imaginative, fantastical settings

14. American romantics Characteristics (continued) Highly symbolic
Features elements of supernatural
Favors emotion over intellect
Development of national pride

15. Major themes Appearance v. Reality Individual v. society
Quest of Individual Expression
Good v. Evil; Light v. Dark
Nature v. Civilization
Need for Human Connection