nathaniel hawthorne and the scarlet letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne and Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter

Kristin FarrKristin Farr

1111thth Grade English Grade EnglishSOL 11.3: Students will read and analyze relationships among American literature, history, and SOL 11.3: Students will read and analyze relationships among American literature, history, and

cultureculture

a) Describe contributions of different cultures to the development of American literaturea) Describe contributions of different cultures to the development of American literature

c) Discuss American literature as it reflects traditional and contemporary themes, motifs,c) Discuss American literature as it reflects traditional and contemporary themes, motifs,

universal characters, and genresuniversal characters, and genres

11.4 e) Analyze information from a text to draw conclusions11.4 e) Analyze information from a text to draw conclusions

This Powerpoint would primarily be used by the teacher as an in-class teaching tool, as a This Powerpoint would primarily be used by the teacher as an in-class teaching tool, as a presentation to the whole class, with time being taken for students to discuss the questions presentation to the whole class, with time being taken for students to discuss the questions posed on many of the slides. However, there are also numerous links that interested students posed on many of the slides. However, there are also numerous links that interested students would be able to explore on their own after the class presentation, such as the timelines and would be able to explore on their own after the class presentation, such as the timelines and the extra biographical information on Hawthorne. Most of these links which are scattered the extra biographical information on Hawthorne. Most of these links which are scattered through the slides would not be explored in class. Also, I think that closely reading excerpts is through the slides would not be explored in class. Also, I think that closely reading excerpts is very important, and that is why many of the slides seem to have a lot of text on them, simply very important, and that is why many of the slides seem to have a lot of text on them, simply to allow to students to be able to quickly look at the same brief passages. to allow to students to be able to quickly look at the same brief passages.

Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne and and The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter

March 28, 2006March 28, 2006

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES To obtain knowledge of To obtain knowledge of

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s life Nathaniel Hawthorne’s life and background and how it and background and how it affected his writingaffected his writing

To understand the historical To understand the historical and social context in which and social context in which The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter was was writtenwritten

To identify key literary To identify key literary elements in the novel elements in the novel (setting, characters, mood, (setting, characters, mood, climax, symbols, themes)climax, symbols, themes)

To analyze and discuss To analyze and discuss events throughout events throughout The The Scarlet LetterScarlet Letter and their and their implications and meanings implications and meanings

OUTLINEOUTLINEI.I. Nathaniel Hawthorne (biographical information)Nathaniel Hawthorne (biographical information)II.II. Historical ContextHistorical Context

A. What was going on in America in 1850?A. What was going on in America in 1850?B. Literary historyB. Literary history

1. Brief look at the proceeding literary periods1. Brief look at the proceeding literary periodsa. Puritan writingsa. Puritan writingsb. Enlightenmentb. Enlightenmentc. Romanticism/Transcendentalismc. Romanticism/Transcendentalismd. Subdivision of Romanticism: Gothic lit.d. Subdivision of Romanticism: Gothic lit.

2. Influence of Trans/anti-Trans2. Influence of Trans/anti-TransIII.III. Literary ElementsLiterary Elements A. CharactersA. Characters

B. MoodB. MoodC. ClimaxC. ClimaxD. SettingD. Setting

1. Life in the mid 171. Life in the mid 17thth century century 2. Effect of his past on the novel (time and place)2. Effect of his past on the novel (time and place)

a. Puritan heritagea. Puritan heritageb. Work at the Custom Houseb. Work at the Custom House

frame story and the backgroundframe story and the background of the Custom of the Custom HouseHouseE. PlotE. Plot

1. Thinking about the events throughout the novel1. Thinking about the events throughout the novel a. Chapters 1-8a. Chapters 1-8

b. Chapters 9-15b. Chapters 9-15c. Chapters 16-24c. Chapters 16-24

F. SymbolismF. SymbolismG. ThemesG. Themes

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNENATHANIEL HAWTHORNE

Hawthorne's Life


Born July 4, 1804 in Salem, MABorn July 4, 1804 in Salem, MA Education- Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Education- Bowdoin College in Brunswick,

Maine (38 freshmen, 5 faculty members)Maine (38 freshmen, 5 faculty members) Married Sophia Peabody in 1842Married Sophia Peabody in 1842 Job at Custom House 1839-40, 46-49Job at Custom House 1839-40, 46-49 3 Children3 Children Moved to England, France, and Rome after Moved to England, France, and Rome after

SalemSalem Died in 1864Died in 1864 Do you want to learn more?


““The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter is powerfully is powerfully written but my writings do not, written but my writings do not, nor ever will, appeal to the nor ever will, appeal to the broadest class of sympathies, broadest class of sympathies, and therefore will not obtain a and therefore will not obtain a very wide popularity.” very wide popularity.”

-Hawthorne, after finishing the -Hawthorne, after finishing the novelnovel


As a literary artist…As a literary artist…

First American “pro writer”: college First American “pro writer”: college educated, familiar with the great educated, familiar with the great European writersEuropean writers

4,000 copies of 4,000 copies of The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter sold sold in the first 10 daysin the first 10 days

OVERVIEW OVERVIEW

The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter tells the story of Hester tells the story of Hester Prynne who has committed adultery and Prynne who has committed adultery and must wear a scarlet "A" publicly as must wear a scarlet "A" publicly as punishment. When her husband, whom she punishment. When her husband, whom she believed to be dead, suddenly reappears, he believed to be dead, suddenly reappears, he determines to discover the identity of the determines to discover the identity of the father of Hester's child, although Hester father of Hester's child, although Hester steadfastly refuses to reveal his identity. steadfastly refuses to reveal his identity. Through the use of rich symbolism and Through the use of rich symbolism and supernatural events, Hawthorne shows the supernatural events, Hawthorne shows the destructive effects of guilt and revenge.destructive effects of guilt and revenge.

HISTORICAL CONTEXTHISTORICAL CONTEXT

The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter was finished inwas finished in 1850…..1850…..

What was going on in What was going on in America in 1850?America in 1850?

HISTORICAL, SOCIAL, AND HISTORICAL, SOCIAL, AND LITERARY EVENTS LITERARY EVENTS

TIMELINETIMELINE


To what “period” of AmericanTo what “period” of American

Literature does Hawthorne Literature does Hawthorne belong??belong??

Lets take a look at the history of Lets take a look at the history of American Literature…..American Literature…..


English Heritage (Elizabethan Age)English Heritage (Elizabethan Age)1650-1570: Early Colonial period-1650-1570: Early Colonial period-

Puritan writings, no distinctive Puritan writings, no distinctive American literatureAmerican literature

1750-1800: Later Colonial 1750-1800: Later Colonial period-period- Age of Age of Reason/Enlightenment Reason/Enlightenment (Neoclassicism, Rationalism)(Neoclassicism, Rationalism)


1800-1850: American 1800-1850: American Renaissance/ Romanticism-Renaissance/ Romanticism- slave slave narratives, inner feelings, the burden narratives, inner feelings, the burden of a Puritan past, the rejection of of a Puritan past, the rejection of NeoclassicismNeoclassicism

TranscendentalismTranscendentalism was a part of was a part of this…this…


TRANSCENDENTALISMTRANSCENDENTALISM Boston-centered movement, led by Emerson, Boston-centered movement, led by Emerson,

was an important force in New England circleswas an important force in New England circles Human existence transcends the sensory Human existence transcends the sensory

realmrealm Formalism in favor of individual responsibilityFormalism in favor of individual responsibility Belief in individual choice and consequenceBelief in individual choice and consequence Focus on the positiveFocus on the positive


SUBDIVISION OF ROMANTICISM: SUBDIVISION OF ROMANTICISM: GOTHIC GOTHIC LITERATURE, LITERATURE, the “dark the “dark romantics”(1800-1850)romantics”(1800-1850)

-use of supernatural-use of supernatural

-motif of double (both good and evil in-motif of double (both good and evil in

characters; sin and evil does exist)characters; sin and evil does exist)

-depression, dark forests-depression, dark forests

-Poe, Hawthorne, Melville-Poe, Hawthorne, Melville -emphasis on symbolism -emphasis on symbolism (which we will (which we will

discuss later)discuss later)


In what ways can you see the In what ways can you see the Transcendentalist influence on Transcendentalist influence on Hawthorne? Hawthorne?

(His wife was a Transcendentalist and had some (His wife was a Transcendentalist and had some effect on his literature, and he also became friends effect on his literature, and he also became friends with Transcendentalists in Concord, Emerson and with Transcendentalists in Concord, Emerson and Thoreau)Thoreau)

How is he also ANTI-How is he also ANTI-TRANSCENDENTALIST/ GOTHIC, as TRANSCENDENTALIST/ GOTHIC, as exhibited in the novel?exhibited in the novel?

LITERARY ELEMENTSLITERARY ELEMENTS

CharactersCharactersMoodMoodSettingSettingPlot Plot SymbolismSymbolismThemesThemes

LITERARY LITERARY ELEMENTS:CHARACTERSELEMENTS:CHARACTERS

Hester Prynne-Hester Prynne- protagonist, married protagonist, married to Chillingworth, adultery with to Chillingworth, adultery with DimmesdaleDimmesdale


Arthur Dimmesdale-Arthur Dimmesdale- pastor, pastor, intense suffering, tragic figureintense suffering, tragic figure

Roger Chillingworth-Roger Chillingworth- physician, physician, old, evil, deformed, diabolical old, evil, deformed, diabolical vengeance on Dimmesdalevengeance on Dimmesdale

Pearl-Pearl- beautiful daughter, beautiful daughter, sometimes imp-like, rebellious, sometimes imp-like, rebellious, inquisitiveinquisitive


Gov. Bellingham-Gov. Bellingham- based on actual based on actual governor of Bostongovernor of Boston

John Wilson-John Wilson- eldest clergyman, eldest clergyman, based on actual English ministerbased on actual English minister

Mistress Hibbins-Mistress Hibbins- based on figure based on figure executed for witchcraft, appears to executed for witchcraft, appears to know a great deal about the adulteryknow a great deal about the adultery

LITERARY ELEMENTS: LITERARY ELEMENTS: MOODMOOD

The SOMBER, DARK mood is well-The SOMBER, DARK mood is well-defined from the beginning:defined from the beginning:

““sad-colored garmentssad-colored garments” of spectators, ” of spectators, the prison door which is “the prison door which is “heavily heavily timbered and studded with iron timbered and studded with iron spikesspikes””

LITERARY ELEMENTS: LITERARY ELEMENTS: SETTINGSETTING

1717thth century century Puritanical New Puritanical New England (Mass.)England (Mass.)

What was America like What was America like then?then?


Life in the Mid 1600sLife in the Mid 1600s

Boston was founded just 2 decades earlierBoston was founded just 2 decades earlier 11stst governor was John Winthrop, who governed based on governor was John Winthrop, who governed based on

religious and civic idealsreligious and civic ideals People were hardworking and devotedPeople were hardworking and devoted 1630s- Puritans established a number of settlements in 1630s- Puritans established a number of settlements in

MassachusettsMassachusetts PURITANISMPURITANISM involved belief that the church of England involved belief that the church of England

was too much influenced by the Catholic churchwas too much influenced by the Catholic church Strict code, on which people were expected to act and Strict code, on which people were expected to act and

judged uponjudged upon Rejected belief that divine authority is channeled through Rejected belief that divine authority is channeled through

any one single person (i.e. the pope)any one single person (i.e. the pope) THEOCRACYTHEOCRACY- state governed by the church- state governed by the church


What aspects of this type of religious society What aspects of this type of religious society can be seen in The Scarlet Letter?can be seen in The Scarlet Letter?

How do you think Hawthorne views this type How do you think Hawthorne views this type of society?of society?

How do you think his own past How do you think his own past might have affected his writing?might have affected his writing?

(Hawthorne was intrigued and even (Hawthorne was intrigued and even haunted by his past ancestors, and haunted by his past ancestors, and they appeared quite often in his they appeared quite often in his fiction. Hawthorne’s past greatly fiction. Hawthorne’s past greatly influenced his writing of The Scarlet influenced his writing of The Scarlet Letter.)Letter.)

How did his life affect the How did his life affect the writing of the novel?writing of the novel?

John Hathorne presided overJohn Hathorne presided over

the Salem Witch Trials of the Salem Witch Trials of 16921692

Major William Hathorne Major William Hathorne (1608-1681) persecuted (1608-1681) persecuted quakersquakers

1. Influences on Hawthorne: Puritan 1. Influences on Hawthorne: Puritan backgroundbackground

How did his life affect the How did his life affect the writing of the novel?writing of the novel?

2) Salem-2) Salem- childhood, later work at the childhood, later work at the Custom HouseCustom House, as Surveyor of the Port, as Surveyor of the Port

““The Custom House” introduction creates a The Custom House” introduction creates a

FRAME STORYFRAME STORY This introduction gives an account of his This introduction gives an account of his

experience as surveyor; he attacks the officials experience as surveyor; he attacks the officials who connived in his dismissal… Like his heroine who connived in his dismissal… Like his heroine Hester, Hawthorne emerges from confrontation Hester, Hawthorne emerges from confrontation with a self-righteous society as an individual of with a self-righteous society as an individual of integrity,passion, and moral superiorityintegrity,passion, and moral superiority..

The Custom HouseThe Custom House

THINKING ABOUT WHAT THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU’VE READ…..YOU’VE READ…..

Literary Element: PlotLiterary Element: Plot

Chapters 1-8Chapters 1-8

By Mary Hallock FooteBy Mary Hallock Foote““Hester on the Scaffold”Hester on the Scaffold”


How do you feel about what happens to How do you feel about what happens to Hester Prynne in the beginning?Hester Prynne in the beginning?

What is her punishment? What do you What is her punishment? What do you think the magistrates are hoping to think the magistrates are hoping to accomplish with this punishment?accomplish with this punishment?

““One the breast of her One the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, gown, in fine red cloth,

surrounded with an surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and elaborate embroidery and

fantastic flourishes of fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the gold thread, appeared the

letter A.”letter A.”

THE PUNISHMENTTHE PUNISHMENT


““He was small in stature, with a He was small in stature, with a furrowed visage which, as yet, could furrowed visage which, as yet, could hardly be termed aged. There was a hardly be termed aged. There was a remarkable intelligence in his features, remarkable intelligence in his features, as of a person who had so cultivated as of a person who had so cultivated his mental part that it could not fail to his mental part that it could not fail to mould the physical to itself…one of this mould the physical to itself…one of this man’s shoulders rose higher than the man’s shoulders rose higher than the other.”other.”

Who does she recognize in the crowd and how Who does she recognize in the crowd and how does she feel about it?does she feel about it?


How does Dimmesdale really feel How does Dimmesdale really feel about his role in the community?about his role in the community?

What are the differences between What are the differences between Hester and Dimmesdale at the end, Hester and Dimmesdale at the end, with her outward punishment and his with her outward punishment and his inward punishment?inward punishment?


Wood engraving by Barry Wood engraving by Barry Moser for the Pennyroyal Press Moser for the Pennyroyal Press from the January 1991 edition from the January 1991 edition of the of the Essex Institute Historical Essex Institute Historical

Collection.Collection.

Moser's image Moser's image shows Arthur shows Arthur Dimmesdale with Dimmesdale with his eyes his eyes downcastdowncast and the scar of an and the scar of an "A""A" clearly visible clearly visible on his chest.”on his chest.”

““..Though he were to step down ..Though he were to step down from a high place, and stand from a high place, and stand beside thee on thy beside thee on thy pedestal of pedestal of shameshame, , yet better were it yet better were it so, than to hide a guilty so, than to hide a guilty heart through life.”heart through life.”

Chapters 9-15Chapters 9-15How doesHow does

Chillingworth’sChillingworth’s

appearance changeappearance change

over the course of over the course of time?time?

““The Eyes of the Wrinkled Scholar The Eyes of the Wrinkled Scholar Glowed”Glowed” from 1878 edition of the novel from 1878 edition of the novel(Chillingworth called to prison cell as a (Chillingworth called to prison cell as a healer and aid to Hester and Pearl)healer and aid to Hester and Pearl)


What do you think is the What do you think is the climaxclimax of the plot of the novel?of the plot of the novel?

Possibly the second scaffold scene, Possibly the second scaffold scene, where Dimmesdale, Hester, and where Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl are all on the scaffold, Pearl are all on the scaffold, divulging their secret in darkness….divulging their secret in darkness….

What is the falling action after this?.....What is the falling action after this?.....


The meaning of The meaning of the letter was the letter was intended to intended to isolate Hester isolate Hester from society. from society. Given the way Given the way in which her life in which her life ends, did it ends, did it accomplish accomplish what the what the magistrates magistrates intended?intended?

In the end, what character did you sympathize with the most and why?In the end, what character did you sympathize with the most and why?

LITERARY ELEMENT: LITERARY ELEMENT: SYMBOLISM IN THE NOVELSYMBOLISM IN THE NOVEL

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM

Discuss the symbolism in the following Discuss the symbolism in the following objects in The Scarlet Letter. objects in The Scarlet Letter.

What implications are made through What implications are made through the use of these symbols?the use of these symbols?

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM

Hester’s and Pearl’s ClothingHester’s and Pearl’s Clothing““Her own dress was of the Her own dress was of the coarsestcoarsest

materials and the most materials and the most sombresombre hue; with hue; with only that one ornament—only that one ornament—thethe scarlet scarlet letterletter—which it was her —which it was her doomdoom to wear.” to wear.”

““The child’s attire, on the other hand, was The child’s attire, on the other hand, was distinguished by a distinguished by a fancifulfanciful, or, we might , or, we might rather say, a rather say, a fantastic ingenuityfantastic ingenuity, which , which served, indeed, to heighten the served, indeed, to heighten the airy airy charmcharm that early began to develop itself that early began to develop itself in the little girl…”in the little girl…”

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM

PEARL (the name)PEARL (the name)““Her Pearl!—For so had Hester called Her Pearl!—For so had Hester called

her; not as a name expressive of her her; not as a name expressive of her aspect, which had aspect, which had nothing of the nothing of the calm, white, unimpassioned calm, white, unimpassioned lustrelustre that would be indicated by the that would be indicated by the comparison. But she named the comparison. But she named the infant “Pearl,” as infant “Pearl,” as being of great being of great price—purchased with all she hadprice—purchased with all she had—her mother’s only treasure—her mother’s only treasure!”!”

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISMThe A!The A! “It was so artistically done, and with so

much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore; and which was of a splendor in accordance with the taste of the age, but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony.”

“Not a stitch in that embroidered letter, but she has felt it in her heart.”

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM

The Prison Gate and the RoseThe Prison Gate and the Rose

“But on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rosebush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate gems…This rosebush…has been kept alive in history; but whether it had merely survived out of the stern old wilderness…It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow.”

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM

The LeechThe Leech

““He gathered herbs here and there”He gathered herbs here and there”

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM

Can you think of any more?Can you think of any more?

MAJOR THEMESMAJOR THEMES PURITAN MORALITY v. PASSION AND PURITAN MORALITY v. PASSION AND

INDIVIDUALISMINDIVIDUALISM Self-trust v. accomodation to authoritySelf-trust v. accomodation to authority Conventional v. unconventional gender rolesConventional v. unconventional gender roles Guilt: sense of guilt forced by puritanical Guilt: sense of guilt forced by puritanical

heritage/societyheritage/society The penalties of isolation/ isolation because of The penalties of isolation/ isolation because of

self-cause and societal causeself-cause and societal cause Patriarchal powerPatriarchal power Belief in fate/free willBelief in fate/free will Impossibility of earthly perfectionImpossibility of earthly perfection

MAJOR THEMESMAJOR THEMESPerhaps his greatest interest was the human Perhaps his greatest interest was the human

capacity on how sin operates on the inner workings capacity on how sin operates on the inner workings of mindsof minds

With the superstition common to With the superstition common to his brotherhood, he fancied himself his brotherhood, he fancied himself given over to a fiendgiven over to a fiend, to be , to be tortured with frightful dreams, tortured with frightful dreams, and desperate thoughts, the and desperate thoughts, the sting of remorse, and despair sting of remorse, and despair of pardonof pardon; ; as a foretaste of as a foretaste of what awaits him beyond the what awaits him beyond the gravegrave. But it was the constant . But it was the constant shadow of my presence!--the shadow of my presence!--the closest propinquity of the man closest propinquity of the man whom he had most vilely whom he had most vilely wronged!--and who had grown to wronged!--and who had grown to exist only by this exist only by this perpetual perpetual poison of the direst revengepoison of the direst revenge! ! Yea, indeed!--he did not err!--there Yea, indeed!--he did not err!--there was a fiend at his elbow! was a fiend at his elbow! A mortal A mortal man, with once a human heart, man, with once a human heart, has become a fiend for his has become a fiend for his especial torment!"especial torment!" The The unfortunate physician, while unfortunate physician, while uttering these words, lifted his uttering these words, lifted his hands with a look of horror, as if he hands with a look of horror, as if he had beheld had beheld some frightful shape, some frightful shape, which he could not recognize, which he could not recognize, usurping the place of his own usurping the place of his own imageimage in a glass. in a glass.

““smile with a sinister meaning”smile with a sinister meaning”

THE ENDTHE END

SourcesSources

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/hawthorn.htmhttp://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/hawthorn.htmhttp://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap3/http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap3/

hawthorne.htmlhawthorne.htmlhttp://college.hmco.com/english/lauter/heath/4e/students/http://college.hmco.com/english/lauter/heath/4e/students/

author_pages/early_nineteenth/hawthorne_na.htmlauthor_pages/early_nineteenth/hawthorne_na.htmlhttp://www.bartleby.com/187/6.htmlhttp://www.bartleby.com/187/6.htmlhttp://www.bartleby.com/226/index.html#2http://www.bartleby.com/226/index.html#2http://www.hawthorneinsalem.orghttp://www.hawthorneinsalem.orghttp://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/timefram.htmlhttp://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/timefram.htmlhttp://www.heidelberg.edu/~dkimmel/american/timeline.htmlhttp://www.heidelberg.edu/~dkimmel/american/timeline.html

I used many more sources than this in my presentation, but I I used many more sources than this in my presentation, but I could not quickly find the links. I’m not sure how necessary could not quickly find the links. I’m not sure how necessary having all the sources listed is, but I can get them to you if having all the sources listed is, but I can get them to you if needed. Sorryneeded. Sorry

nathaniel hawthorne and the scarlet letter

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